Allen Brown McRea

Allen Brown McRea, 90, of Blytheville passed away at home on Monday morning. He was born in Grenada, Miss., to W.T. and Emma Johnson McRea on Nov. 17, 1928. He served his country for three years in the Army National Guard. He and his wife moved to Blytheville 22 years ago and he was a proud member of the First Christian Church in Blytheville.

Mr. McRea was a machinist for over 40 years. Anything mechanical he could figure out how to work with it. His usual job was to set up machines to put the heads on screws. He moved around quite often. They lived in Conway and the Quad cities in Alabama. He retired in 1996, but continued to work odd jobs like lawn mowing. He used to take care of the lawn at First Christian Church, faithfully. He sold his lawn mower earlier this spring.

His hobbies included fishing and talking about fishing. He enjoyed watching western movies that featured his favorite actors like John Wayne and Audie Murphy. His favorite meal was roast, potatoes, and carrots. His wife said he always thanked her for cooking his meal. He was a good man, an honorable man, a sweet man. He had a calm nature. He loved talking to everybody and he liked helping people.

He was preceded in death by his parents, W.T. and Emma McRea; four brothers, Thomas, Riley, Charley and Ben; four sisters, Ruby, Jeanette, Irene and Billie; and one grandson, Michael Pettet.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Clytee Palmer McRea; one daughter and son-in-law, Patricia and Richard Pettet of High Ridge, Mo.; one son, David Wayne McRea, of St. Louis, Mo.; two grandsons, Nicholas (Brittany) Pettet and Bradley Pettet; two sisters, Geneva Weeks and Josephine McCarty; many nieces and nephews; and a host of friends and church family that will miss him dearly.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Thursday, July 11, at Carney Funeral Home with Rev. Holly Jo Engle officiating. Visitation will be 10 a.m. Thursday until service begins. Burial will be private in St. Louis, Mo.

Condolences may be offered at carneyfuneralhome@sbcglobal.net.