Carroll McAfee

Carroll E. McAfee, age 83 of Sikeston, died Thursday, April 10, 2014, at the Missouri State Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau. He was born on September 24, 1930, in Caraway, Ark., to the late Clyde and Ruth Moore McAfee. Carroll grew up on a cotton farm near Caraway, Ark., surrounded by nine siblings and guided by his parents. Growing up during the depression the family's values and beliefs were founded upon God, hard work, honesty and family. He joined the U.S. Army and served honorably in the Korean War, being discharged in 1953. Following the war he went back to work on the farm and for numerous years participated in the world champion cotton picking contest held in Blytheville, Ark., being champion three times. He moved to Sikeston in 1955, and opened a service station. On March 22, 1957, in Hernando, Miss., he married Mary Frances Malcolm. Soon after, he and Mary started their family. Carroll was employed by the Missouri Department of Transportation, retiring after a 27 year career. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Sikeston, and will be remembered as always being there for the family, neighbors, and strangers as well. Survivors include: three sons and two daughters-in-law, James and Carie McAfee of Plano, Tex., Charles and Cindy Riddel of Springfield, Mo. and Malcolm Lee of Albuquerque, New Mexico; two daughters and sons-in-law, Carolyn and Blane Nagel of St. Charles and Frannie and Steve Ferrell of Sikeston; two brothers, Jerry McAfee of Monette, Ark. and Jay McAfee of El Paso, Tex.; and one sister, Hazel Taylor of Monette, Ark. Also surviving are 11 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Frances Malcolm McAfee, who died October 11, 2011. Also preceding him in death were four brothers, Joe McAfee, Elmer McAfee, James McAfee and Doyle McAfee; and two sisters, Arlene Stone and Verneda Rutledge. Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 13, from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. at the Nunnelee Funeral Chapel. Funeral services will held on Monday at 10:00 a.m. in the Nunnelee Chapel, with Rev. Geoff Posegate, pastor of the First United Methodist Church in Sikeston, officiating. Interment will follow in the Sikeston City Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Alex Hall, David Riddel, Ty Ferrell, Chase Ferrell, Adam Lee, Justin Nagel and Ryan McAfee.