Passing

Friday evening my grandfather, Joseph Leon Kirksey passed from this world.  He was my best friend. I am trying my best not to be angry, but I am.  I am angry because I no longer have anyone to share me hopes and dreams with.  We had a lot of great times together over the past year or so.  I told him everything.  He always encouraged me to follow my dreams, and whatever I was doing to keep it up.  I miss him so much already.  Cancer is an evil evil thing.  He started feeling bad this spring and went downhill fast.  I am glad that my kids are old enough to remember him, but am sad for them because I can't ease their pain.  Death is hard for anyone, much more for kids.  I am glad that my kids have great-grandparents though.  I never did.

Grandpa will be missed, but not forgotten.  He shared with me many things that I don't believe he ever shared with any other family.  I knew when I started cleaning for him, that I would be closer to him, but I could never imagine the pain I feel now.

Joseph Leon Kirksey, of Pleasant Hope, Missouri, passed from this life during the late evening hours of August 7, 2015, in the presence and prayers of his three daughters, at Parkview Nursing Home, in Bolivar, Missouri.

Joe was born on September 2, 1932, near Aldrich, Missouri. Joe was the fifth of seven sons born to Jesse and Delphia Waggoner Kirksey. He was saved at an early age at the Mitchell Campground Church near Aldrich, and was a member of New Hope Baptist Church.

On September 23, 1950, Joe married the love of his life, Anna Marie Asbell. To this union three daughters were born; Karen, Sharon Kay, and Peggy. Joe and Anna worked together on a dairy farm most of their 61 years of marriage. Anna departed this life on October 1, 2011.

Joe loved farming, gardening, and spending time with his family. He especially enjoyed homemade ice cream on the 4th of July, John Deere tractors, and sitting on the porch on summer evenings.

Joe was preceded in death by his wife Anna; his parents; five brothers, Gordon, Richard, Howard, Dean, and Herman Kirksey.

Joe is survived by his three daughters, and their husbands, Karen and Randy Woodmansee, Kay and Billy Dryer, all of Aldrich, and Peggy and Jack Barham, of Halfway; brother, Wayne Kirksey, of Walnut Grove; 10 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren. Joe will be dearly missed by his family, friends, and neighbors.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm, on Tuesday, August 11, 2015, at the Butler Funeral Home, in Bolivar, with Elders DeWayne Burdette, and Dallas Stockdale officiating. Musical selections include “Amazing Grace” by Brandon Hobbs, “Precious Memories”, and “When the Roll is Called Up Yonder”, both by Dallas Stockdale.

Burial will be at the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, near Aldrich, with Josh Woodmansee, Travis Woodmansee, Jim Bob Dryer, Chris DeHart, Travis Painter, Alan Simpson, and Mike Jones serving as casket bearers.

A visitation will be held from 5 – 7:00 pm on Monday, August 10, at Butler Funeral Home, in Bolivar.

Tonight will be hard, and tomorrow even harder, but I will get through it. We all will get through it. Life is hard, but Death is worse. At least he is no longer in pain, and the family is no longer in wait. Miss you.