Part 8/10:
As the years rolled on, Lee’s health began to decline due to cardiovascular issues that plagued him, culminating in a debilitating stroke in 1870. Although his body grew weaker, his spirit remained resolute until the end, as evidenced by his interactions with students and faculty at Washington College. His dedication to the institution never wavered, even in the face of personal adversity.
When he passed away on October 12, 1870, his last days were filled with the warmth of family, yet tempered by the constant shadow of public scrutiny. Just as his life had been a series of trials and tribulations, his death was enveloped in the same conflicts that marked his existence.