JOE BEARDEN
Joe Edward Bearden, 81, of Avery, passed away on December 14, 2019 in a local nursing home. He was born on December 21, 1937 in Avery, to Napoleon Burres and Nettie Sue Bearden. He was preceded in death by his first wife Bennie Nell Storey Bearden, his parents and his brother Jerry Bearden. He is survived by his wife, Joyce Bearden; his daughter, Angela Sue Kelsoe; son-in-law, Robert Kelsoe; grandchildren, Whitney Kara, Kaitlyn Nell, Cassidy Jo and Jacob William Kelsoe all of Avery; sister Jimmie Roberts of Richardson, Texas; brother John Bearden of Ravenna Texas; sistersin-law, Quilla Burkett of Arlington, Marsha Newkirk of DeKalb; Sheila Storey of Friscoand a number of nieces and nephews.
Joe was a member of Avery First Baptist Church where he served as a deacon. After graduating from college, he joined the Army National Guard and served during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He began his career as a math teacher but soon left to be an insurance agent in 1966. Joe owned and operated Avery Insurance Agency and Dekalb Insurance Agency until he retired in 2010. While running two agencies he also tended to his cattle herd. He was very active in his community and was a member of the the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce, Avery City Council, Avery Lions Club, Avery Masonic Lodge, the Tejas Fraternity at East Texas State University and the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas.
Funeral services are scheduled for 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 17, 2019, at the First Baptist Church of Avery with Rev. Paul Burkhalter, Rev. Harold Churchill and Robert Kelsoe officiating. Burial will follow in Avery Cemetery under the direction of Clarksville Funeral Home.
The family will receive friends Monday night from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., at Clarksville Funeral Home.
Pallbearers are Cody Newkirk, Brandon Easterly, Scott Daniel, Luke Daniel, Kevin Burkett, Rhett Burkett, Eric Johnson and Joe Bob Miller.
Honorary Pallbearers are Doug Harmon, Blake Jackson, John Oce Williams, Jr., Ronald Braden, Bruce Duncan and Henry Freeman.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in Mr. Bearden’s name to the Avery First Baptist Church, 390 E Utah St. Avery, Texas 75554, or the Avery Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 268, Avery, Texas 75554.
Memories and condolences may be added at www.clarksvillefuneralhome. com.