Reverend Robert Kea, age 88, of Soperton passed away Monday, December 18, 2017.

Reverend Kea was born in Adrian and was preceded in death by his parents, Nelson and Mattie Flanders Kea and twelve brothers and sisters.  He was a graduate of Trevecca College, Nashville, TN.  He was a retired United Methodist Minister, having served churches throughout the southeast for over fifty years.  In 1980 he founded the Christian Family Center, a Bible-based drug and alcohol rehabilitation center for men. The New Life Program became a part of the center in 1996.

Survivors include his wife of fifty-three years, Lucille Reese Kea; daughters, Renee Steverson of Chester, SC, Glenda Jo Bell and Cindy Sercer, both of Soperton; grandchildren, Kris Peacock, Dawn Smith, Jonathon Braddy, Tiffany Braddy Pace, Shelley Jo Kelley, Kelley Jo Hanner, and Kristey Davis; great-great-grandchildren, Stella Braddy, Jack Braddy, Harper Pace, Mayghan Hanner, Kaden Sercer, Presley Kelley, Garrett Hanner, Ridge Davis, and Finnley Davis; sister, Katherine Thompson of Scott; and several nieces and nephews.

Services will be held in in the Chapel of the Christian Family Center, Treutlen County at 2 p.m. Wednesday, December 20.  Burial will be in Kea's Church Cemetery, Emanuel County. Sammons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

A visitation will be held at the funeral home Tuesday, December 19, from 6 to 8 p.m. The family may be reached at the family residence.