Jerry McKee

OLIVE BRANCH, Ill. -- Jerry D. McKee, 60, of Olive Branch, died suddenly Thursday morning, Oct. 14, 2004, upon arrival at Mercy Medical Center in Durango, Colo., while on a hunting and camping trip.

He was born in Cairo, Ill., on Sept. 23, 1944, son of Clarence Junior McKee and Virtus Story McKee Cox.

He was a member of Alexander Freewill Baptist Church near Olive Branch and served as a deacon in the church, and was a mine manager with Nestle Purina.

He was married to Donna Kay Dowdy on Feb. 16, 1963, at Unity, Ill., and she preceded him in death on Dec. 21, 2001. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Larry McKee, in 1986, his father, Clarence Junior McKee, in 1983, his stepfather, Burnest Cox, in 1996, two grandsons, Cody Blake Holder on June 14, 1994, and R. Christopher Holder on Sept. 18, 2003.

Survivors include his mother, Virtus Cox of Olive Branch; two daughters and a son-in-law, Lisa Essex and Steve Essex and Misty Holder, all of Olive Branch; a son and daughter-in-law, Scott McKee and Debbie McKee of Olive Branch; two brothers, Wayne McKee of Hartford, Ill. and Terry McKee of Cape Girardeau; a sister, Charlotte Christopher of Cape Girardeau; grandchildren Kellie Willoughby, Lindsay Quesenberry, Kourtnee Quesenberry, Skylar McKee, Dawson Essex, Steve Essex, Ryan Essex and Sarah Essex, and nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Jerry D. McKee will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 18, at Alexander Freewill Baptist Church near Olive Branch with the pastor, Earnest Brown, officiating. Burial will follow in Olive Branch Cemetery in Olive Branch.

Friends may call between 4 and 8 p.m. Sunday at Alexander Freewill Baptist Church and after 8 a.m. Monday until the funeral hour at the church.

Jones Funeral Home in Tames is in charge of the arrangements.