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Reginald Edwin Kea, Sr., beloved husband of 66 years of Dorothy Jeffords Kea, passed away July 21, 2013, at age 85. Born on September 15, 1927, he was the eldest son of the late Harry Edwin Kea, Sr., and Sybil Woodham Kea. He attended public school in Oates, South Carolina, and served in the United States Maritime Service for the Department of Commerce. In 1966 he became a member of the Patesville Masonic Lodge #295 and served as Grand Master for many years. He became a member of The Omar Shriners in 1975 and continued to serve both organizations in various capacities until the time of his death. He joined Mt. Elon Baptist Church in Lydia, South Carolina after he and Dorothy were married in 1946, where he served as a Sunday School teacher, on the Board of Deacons, in the choir and on the committee to record and deliver tapes of services to shut-ins. He was a faithful and dedicated member of Mt. Elon Baptist Church. He retired from E. I. DuPont de Nemours in Lugoff-Elgin after 33 years of service. After his retirement he became an avid golfer and had the opportunity to play many great courses with his loyal foursome. In addition to his wife, Dorothy Grace, he is survived by three daughters, Dottie (Clifton LaFoye) Reynolds of Sumter, Betty (Jim) Skoler of West Columbia, Deborah(Jimmy)Ham of Lamar, and one son, Reggie, Jr. (Diane) Kea of Chester, Virginia; eight grandchildren, Tori Kea, Gabe Reynolds, Kari Mahek, Amanda Gardner, Josh Kea, Kristen Dorriety, Jason Skoler and Christopher Kea and eight great-grandchildren; two step granddaughters, Jennifer Griggs and Catherine Fail and one step grandchild, Ian Fail; three brothers, Harry, Jr. (Milford) Kea of Columbia, Jerry (Elma Lou) Kea of Sumter and Larry (Claudia) Kea of West Columbia, and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his mother and father, he was predeceased by one brother, Rupert Kea and two sisters, Vivian Kea Beasley and Carolyn Kea Connor. The family will receive friends at Brown-Pennington-Atkins Funeral Home in Hartsville Tuesday, July 23, 2013, 5:00-7:00 p.m., and at other times at the home, 3736 Indian Branch Road. Services will be held at Mt. Elon Baptist Church in Lydia on Wednesday, July 24, 2013, at 3:00 p.m. Burial will follow in the Mt. Elon Baptist Church Cemetery. Memorials may be made to a charity of one’s choice. The family wishes to express its sincere thanks to Dr. Fripp Ducker for his exceptional care for the past six years and to the caring nursing staff on the Ninth Floor at McLeod Medical Center Pavilion during this past week.

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Mr. Reginald Edwin Kea Sr.

September 15, 1927 - July 21, 2013