Joe L. Kea

Master Sergeant Joe L. Kea (USAF Ret.), 80, of Gosnell, passed from this life Thursday, April 3, 2014, at Great River Medical Center in Blytheville.

Born in Ruleville, Miss., to Earl Lamar and Jeffie Broadway Kea, he was retired ROTC Instructor at Blytheville High School and a member of Bethany Baptist Church. Joe loved to grow roses and was a member of the American Rose Society for many years.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Nita Bullock Kea; and his daughter Terri L. Kea.

Joe is survived by his sons, Kenneth E. Kea of Gosnell, and Douglas L. Kea and wife, Brenda, of Indianapolis, Ind.;

A grandson, Brandon Kea and wife, Emily, of Sioux Falls, Iowa;

A great-granddaughter, Nora Jean;

His brother John Lucas Kea of Wichita Falls, Texas; and

His sister, Marjorie Starnes of Trenton, Tenn.

Funeral services with full military honors will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, April 11, 2014, in Cobb Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Kenny Davis officiating. Burial will follow in Elmwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until service time. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.cobbfuneralhome.com