By Mike Kinney
Community members honored the late Albert (Al B Show) Lee with a drive thru memorial on Saturday.
The memorial started at 8th Street and Nevin Ave and passed by the home of Lee and his surviving wife Gloria, who lives near the Nevin Community Center. An escort of Richmond police vehicles and motorcycle social clubs such the Soul Brothers, Road Runners and the Four Horseman led the procession. Lee’s nephew, Richmond City Councilmember Demnlus Johnson III, was among the attendees.
During the memorial, Richmond resident Steve Harris sang a beautiful rendition of the gospel spiritual-Precious Lord in acapella.
Lee, who recently died from natural causes, was among the founders and members of the Tent City Peace Movement in 2006 that initially located at 4th Street and Nevin Avenue and expanded to other areas of the city. The movement’s goal was to put a stop to violence in the community. Lee took the initiative to feed campers.
“As donations of food and supplies reached our camp from all over the Bay Area, Albert made sure we had a special Army tent that would serve as the camp’s kitchen for cooking and preparing food, as well to house and host all food coming in to feed the people,” said the Rev. Andre Shumake Sr., one of the founders of the movement. “Al made a daily commitment to every man, woman and child to make sure they were fed.”
Lee was remembered for a life of similar, selfless community service. To learn more, read our recent report on his life and passing here.
