R.D. Kee - Jonesboro

R.D. Kee, 91, of Jonesboro, died Friday, Sept. 2, 2005, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. Born at Buena Vista, Tenn., he was a longtime member of Monette First Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, and chairman of the building committee for the new facility. More recently he transferred his church membership to First Baptist Church of Jonesboro.

He was also a Gideon and a Mason for more than 50 years. He was active in community affairs, serving on the Monette City Council and Monette School Board and was chairman of the Monette Housing Authority. He was a Lions Club member and served on the board of the Cherokee District Quapaw Council of Boy Scouts of America and other organizations. He worked for 50 years for John Deere.

Survivors include his wife, Beatrice Cheshier Kee of the home; three sons, Marvin E. Kee of North Little Rock, Robert D. Kee of Lewisville and Dan Kee of Bentonville; two daughters, Linda F. Owens of West Memphis and Susan Welch of Jonesboro; a stepson, Donald W. Cheshier of Jonesboro; a stepdaughter, Shirley Coble of Jonesboro; 10 grandchildren, Robin D. Hamilton of Maumelle, Pattie L. Bennett of Little Rock, Karen Venezia of Lompoc, Calif., Mark Kee of Broussard, La., Lisa Walker of West Memphis, David Owens of St. Lucia, Fla., Jennifer Primm of Jonesboro, Amber McElhaney of Conway and Kristen Kee and Ryan Kee, both of Bentonville; and 14 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Frances Fowler Kee, and his parents, Lon and Mary Eliza Kee.

Services will be at 11 a.m. today (Tuesday) at First Baptist Church in Jonesboro, the Rev. Zane Gragg and Dr. Bruce Tippit officiating. Burial will be in Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Roller-Farmers Union Funeral Home of Jonesboro.

Pallbearers will be Mark Kee, Ryan Kee, Mark Bennett, Heath Primm, David McElhaney and David Owens.