Jean Nea

CHARLESTON - Jean Beard Nea, 90, formerly of Dexter, died Dec. 28, 2006, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston.

Born Dec. 29, 1915, at Bunkum, Ill., to the late Walter H. and Lurlyne Moore Beard, she lived most of her life in St. Louis where she graduated from Miss Hickey's Secretarial School before moving to Charleston in 1976. She was of the Methodist belief.

In 1935, she married Willard K. Nea who preceded her in death in 1967.

One brother, Walter Beard Jr.; one sister, Jane Y. Halter; and one nephew, Byron "Butch" Beard, also preceded her in death.

Survivors include: two sons and daughters-in-law, Charles W. and Joan Nea of Cuba, Mo. and Scott K. and Ann Nea of Brentwood; one daughter, Linda L. Patrick of Charleston; and 13 grandchildren, six stepgrandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

Visitation is from 2 p.m. until time of services at 3 p.m. Saturday at the McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston. The Rev. Roger Jespersen, pastor of the United Methodist Church of Charleston, will officiate. Eulogies will be offered by Richard Logan and Marilyn Renaud.

Burial will follow in the Dexter Cemetery.