Joe 'Jacob' Nunley Sr.

Joe Willie Nunley Sr., affectionately known as "Jacob" or "Jake", was born Oct. 11, 1946, in Patton to Ernestine Burton and Fred D. Muse. Joe gained his golden wings Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, at the age of 77 at home, in the presence of his loved ones, after battling cancer.

He had a big loving heart and a warm soul that drew people to him. There was never a dull moment when he came around. He was always the life of any party, and you were guaranteed to get a good laugh.

Joe was a veteran who served in the U.S. Army for three years from 1966 to 1968 until he was honorably discharged. He then became a police officer for Cape Girardeau Police Department in September 1970.

Joe was united in marriage to Shirley Jean Johnson on Nov. 29, 1968. In his free time, Joe loved spending time with his family, hanging out with friends and watching sports and westerns.

He leaves to cherish his loving memories with his seven children, three daughters, Alice Nunley of Cape Girardeau, Jessica Harris of Cape Girardeau and Malissa (Charles) Thompson of Colombia, Missouri; four sons, Joe (Tamera) Nunley Jr., Marvin (LaToya) Nunley of Cape Girardeau, Shawn (LaWanda) Nunley of St. Louis, and Jared (Maida) Harris of Nashville, Tennessee; three brothers, Anthony Ray Nunley, Tommy Nunley and Ricky Nunley, all of Cape Girardeau; and two sisters, Jackie Nunley of Cape Girardeau and Linda Faye of Jackson, Tennessee. He also leaves to cherish his memories his 26 grandchildren, 48 great-grandchildren and an abundant number of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley Nunley; parents, Fred and Ernestine Nunley; and a brother, Cecil Nunley.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1, at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 2, at the funeral home, with Mea Triplett, the Rev. Ralph Stafford Moore and the Rev. Tommy Robinson officiating. Burial will be at Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, following the funeral.

Online condolences may be sent at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.