Melissa “Missy” Lynn Rhea, 44, of Keokuk, died Friday, June 21, 2024 at the Southeast Iowa Medical Center in West Burlington, IA.
Missy was born on August 15, 1979 in Keokuk, IA the daughter of Ned Otis and Patricia Lynn Smith Rhea.
She graduated from Keokuk High School with the Class of 1997. Missy then furthered her education by attending Culver Stockton College in Canton, MO to obtain her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.
Missy was a loving caring and fun loving person. She expressed her caring in her career as a social worker with Community Action. She saw the very best in everyone and only saw who they could grow to become. She took pride in her work caring and helping people to the best of her ability excluding the paperwork. She would love nights where her friends and family would mix together and we could sit around playing games, having a fire, or grilling and enjoying each other’s company. While listening to her very wide and extensive love for music by picking up her large cd collection or creating a YouTube mix that would play for hours. She was also a talented artist, creating beautiful acrylic paintings. She always enjoyed taking time to play vintage video games.
She grew up with loving brothers, Tory Rhea (Chas McClain), and Joel Rhea (Raquel Garcia Rhea), sister Holly Claire Rhea (Michael Walton), she is carried on by her only biological son, Ethan Rhea and his fiancé Sara Nuno.
She found a caring best friend and fiancée in Joseph Root who was there to help her through difficult and the good times. With their relationship came her stepson Joey Root. She was a very loving Aunt to many, Beau Paris, Alex Alger (Zach Alger), McKenzie Paris (Kaitlyn Maulding), Tori Rhea, Kirsten McClain, Tatyana Garcia Rhea and Yazmin Garcia Rhea and great nieces and great nephews. All of whom have shared many fun and loving nights with Missy. As we say goodbye to such a wonderful person we must always remember and cherish all of the love and happiness she has brought onto everyone who was lucky enough to meet her and be a part of the life of this wonderful social butterfly.
She was preceded in death by her father, Ned Rhea and grandmother, Verna Smith.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 28, at the St. Paul United Church of Christ, 2030 Plank Rd., Keokuk, with Rev. Milo VanVeldhuizen officiating.
Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service from 10-11.a.m. at the church with family meeting with friends at that time.
Memorials may be made to the family.
The Vigen Memorial home in Keokuk is assisting the family with arrangements.
Online condolences may be made the family at www.vigenmemorialhome.com
