IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Billy Joe
Meeks
November 4, 1930 – November 12, 2011
Obituary
REV. BILLY JOE MEEKS, age 81, a resident of Bertrand died Saturday, November 12, 2011, at the St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.
He was born November 4, 1930 in Bertrand to the late George Franklin and Rettie Lorene Eastwood Meeks. A lifelong resident of Bertrand, he was active in many community activities including being a baseball coach, scout leader, volunteer fireman, and member of the IOOF Lodge. He was the recipient of a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star through his service with the US Army during the Korean conflict. Following his discharge he returned to Bertrand where he worked as an auto mechanic, owning and operating Meeks Garage until his retirement in 1992. In 1969 he was called into church ministry and in 1971 founded the First General Baptist Church in Charleston where he served as a pastor until his death. He established a jail ministry while serving as a deputy reserve officer under Sheriff Pedro Simmons, served as a Chaplain at Missouri Delta Medical Center for over 25 years, began a Food Pantry through his church in 1981 that became the Bootheel Food Pantry in 1991, and held weekly Sunday morning services at the Charleston Manor Nursing Center for many years.
On April 17, 1950 he married Lora Mae Maxwell who preceded him in death on December 7, 2007.
Surviving are two sons and one daughter in law, Garry Joe Meeks of Bertrand, Daniel "Boo" and Jackie Meeks of Charleston; one daughter and son in law, Karen and Bruce Groves of Bertrand; one brother, Don Meeks of Billingsley, AL; four sisters, Mary Allen of East Prairie, Judy Skinner of Sikeston, Jan Harper of Knoxville, TN, and Mae McClain of Charleston; 6 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by four brothers, Bob Meeks, Charles Meeks, Marshall Meeks, and Frank Meeks Jr., and two sisters, Paula Kay Meeks and Deloris Spitler.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Monday, November 14, 2011, at the McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston where Funeral Services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 15, 2011, with Rev. Raymond Hannah pastor of the General Baptist Church in East Prairie, officiating. David Bridges of Atoka, TN will serve as Eulogist.
Interment will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery.
He was born November 4, 1930 in Bertrand to the late George Franklin and Rettie Lorene Eastwood Meeks. A lifelong resident of Bertrand, he was active in many community activities including being a baseball coach, scout leader, volunteer fireman, and member of the IOOF Lodge. He was the recipient of a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star through his service with the US Army during the Korean conflict. Following his discharge he returned to Bertrand where he worked as an auto mechanic, owning and operating Meeks Garage until his retirement in 1992. In 1969 he was called into church ministry and in 1971 founded the First General Baptist Church in Charleston where he served as a pastor until his death. He established a jail ministry while serving as a deputy reserve officer under Sheriff Pedro Simmons, served as a Chaplain at Missouri Delta Medical Center for over 25 years, began a Food Pantry through his church in 1981 that became the Bootheel Food Pantry in 1991, and held weekly Sunday morning services at the Charleston Manor Nursing Center for many years.
On April 17, 1950 he married Lora Mae Maxwell who preceded him in death on December 7, 2007.
Surviving are two sons and one daughter in law, Garry Joe Meeks of Bertrand, Daniel "Boo" and Jackie Meeks of Charleston; one daughter and son in law, Karen and Bruce Groves of Bertrand; one brother, Don Meeks of Billingsley, AL; four sisters, Mary Allen of East Prairie, Judy Skinner of Sikeston, Jan Harper of Knoxville, TN, and Mae McClain of Charleston; 6 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by four brothers, Bob Meeks, Charles Meeks, Marshall Meeks, and Frank Meeks Jr., and two sisters, Paula Kay Meeks and Deloris Spitler.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Monday, November 14, 2011, at the McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston where Funeral Services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 15, 2011, with Rev. Raymond Hannah pastor of the General Baptist Church in East Prairie, officiating. David Bridges of Atoka, TN will serve as Eulogist.
Interment will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery.
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