Jerry Lee "Jb" Underwood

On March 3, 2021, at 8:07 PM, Jerry “JB” Lee Underwood, 74, surrounded by his wife, his daughter and his Sabalridge family, went home to Jesus.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, March 15 at 10:30 AM at St. Mary of the Annunciation Catholic Church at 95 Hasell Street, Charleston, with Father Gregory West and Monsignor Anthony Droze as the celebrants. Final Committal will be at St. Lawrence Cemetery at 60 Huguenin Avenue, Charleston following the mass. The funeral may be viewed online at https://youtu.be/g5F75FgvT1w .

Jerry was born September 4, 1946 in Tryon, NC, the son of John Leaster Underwood and Ilean Newman Underwood. He is a graduate of Tryon High School and joined the United States Marine Corps in 1964. JB served in the Vietnam War and upon leaving Vietnam, he was stationed in Charleston where he met Linda Mains. In addition to his four years of active duty, Jerry served in the Marine Reserves, Air Force Reserves and Army National Guard for nine additional years. He was a member of the Vietnam Veterans Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Disabled American Veterans.

JB wore many hats during his working years. He worked for UPS after being honorably discharged from the USMC, owned and ran a service station with his brother, a mechanic for several car dealerships, managed Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken, Shoney’s and Charcoal Steakhouse throughout the state, sold insurance and finally settled down and worked 25 years for Southern Bell. Never one to sit still, even when he was working full-time, Jerry had jobs on the side to keep him out of trouble. After retiring at 55, he could not sit still and had several part-time jobs. JB returned to his food & beverage roots and opened a catering and bartending business in 2006; then in 2012, he officially retired. One day, Linda asked Jerry of all the jobs he had which was his favorite and he replied being Lesa’s Dad!

Jerry is survived by his beautiful wife of 54 years, Linda Mains Underwood; his favorite (and only) daughter, Jerri Lesa Underwood; his honorary granddaughters Andrea Harnig and Alexandra Harnig; his sister, Francis Waldrop of Columbus, NC; his brother, Marion Underwood (Rachel) of Columbus, NC; his nephew, James Underwood (Betty) of Hico, TX; nieces and nephews; great nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and four brothers: Grady Underwood, Lewis Underwood, Leon Underwood and James Underwood.

On June 21, 2015, Jerry was confirmed in the Catholic Church. Linda prayed for 48 years for this and it happened in God’s time. JB was a member of St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church on Daniel Island. A couple months before his death, he told Lesa the day he became Catholic was one of his happiest days.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Lewy Body Dementia Association, 912 Killian Hill Road SW, Lilburn, GA 30047 or on their website at www.lbda.org.