Lee began his career on a farm in South Carolina where he was born of poor, but deeply religious parents. Early in life he felt the call to be a preacher; in spite of many obstacles, he heeded that call.
Dr. Lee was ordained at his boyhood church in Fort Mill, South Carolina in 1910. He was pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee from December, 1927, until April, 1960. Dr. R.G. Lee preached his famous sermon- Pay Day, Someday- over 1200 times all over the world. He passed away in July of 1978 at his home in Memphis.