Joseph Reed Threlkeld Sr.

Joseph Reed Threlkeld, Sr., of Malden, Missouri, entered the presence of his Lord early Friday morning, November 21, 2025, age 96, at Mercy Hospital, Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
Mr. Threlkeld was born on September 24, 1929, in Manila, Arkansas, to Everett Reed and Ora (Smith) Threlkeld. He was called "Joe Reed" growing up in the close-knit community of Brown Spur, just north of Manila. After having attained the age of majority, he was called "Joe" thereafter. Mr. Threlkeld expressed to his family that he wanted his obituary to first state that he was a Christian. He came from a long line of believers in Christ Jesus, whose families expressed their Christian faith primarily through the Baptist, Methodist, and Pentecostal faith traditions with joy and soberness. Generations of his family history are rooted deeply in the Baptist faith going back over 200 years when a direct ancestor, Aaron Threlkeld of Virginia, converted from his family's Episcopalian faith to the Baptist faith, and consequently migrated to Kentucky to escape religious persecution. As a young boy, Mr. Threlkeld was baptized in Buffalo Ditch near Brown Spur by Brother Horn, Pastor of Brown Spur Baptist Church. Mr. Threlkeld was called upon in church to sing solos accompanied on piano by his older sister, Melva. It was there in their country church that his love for hymns grew, along with his life-long enthusiasm for Southern Gospel music--especially the Blackwood Brothers, the Kingsmen Quartet, and the Statesmen Quartet.
Mr. Threlkeld was an outstanding athlete who played both basketball and baseball throughout his 4 years at Manila High School. He started as Point Guard for the basketball team and served as Center Fielder and Captain for the baseball team. He often reminisced about the spirited rivalry between the Leachville Mustangs and Manila Lions basketball teams. He also played Jr. and Sr. American Legion baseball during the summer, which remained one of his fond memories of his youth. He was coached by Harold "Trigger" Wall, often speaking of his coach as an early positive influence on his life throughout his formative years.
On September 2, 1951, he married Sharlene (Hester) Threlkeld, to whom he demonstrated devotion and faithfulness throughout their 52 years of marriage. He served his country during the Korean War era having been honorably discharged. After Mr. Threlkeld returned home to Arkansas from his stint with the U.S. Army, his father generously helped the young couple purchase farmland in Valley Ridge near Campbell, Missouri. Mr. Threlkeld's father had confidence in his son, knowing he was no stranger to farming, having been raised on a full-service farm, milking cows, feeding chickens, butchering hogs, etc. while helping his father successfully grow a variety of crops that did well along this stretch of the Mississippi Delta. When Mr. Threlkeld turned 12 years old, his father purchased for him a 1-row cotton picker. Renting out his cotton picking services that 1st season resulted in much success. Word quickly spread about his farming ability and reasonable rates and so farmers started hiring him to harvest their cotton fields. He did well enough to use part of his income to invest in a 2-row cotton picker for the next season, cutting in half his time picking a cotton field!
Fast forward to 1956, and the young married couple started farming their newly purchased Missouri farmland where he and Sharlene, first, lived on their farm in a modest farmhouse and started raising a family, then moved to Campbell where Sharlene taught in the Campbell School District, and later moved to Malden where Sharlene taught in the Malden School District until her retirement in the late 1970s. At Mr. Threlkeld's peak, he farmed approximately 800 acres rotating wheat, corn, cotton, soybeans, and milo. Together, their lives revolved around faith, work, and family, despite many challenges. This agriculture-centered way of life relied on dependable and competent employees. Mr. Threlkeld was grateful for them, and would have found it difficult to plan, plant, maintain, and harvest his crops on budget without their individual skills, knowledge, and loyalty.
He also owned and operated for 18 years a successful crop-spraying business, piloting his own Ag plane for area farmers. In 1973, Mr. Threlkeld received the Dunklin County Conservation Award in recognition of his innovative farming and conservation practices that he brought to Southeast Missouri beginning in the late 1950s. He retired from farming in 1996, successfully planting and harvesting for 40 seasons without a crop failure. Mr. Threlkeld often reminded his son: "Life is full of risks. But there's smart risk and there's stupid risk. Try to know the difference."
Mr. Threlkeld's love of aviation extended beyond his Ag flying business that encompassed owning and flying, first, a Piper Pawnee and, then, upgrading to a Cessna Ag Truck. Throughout his tenure as a licensed pilot, Mr. Threlkeld owned a Luscombe, a Globe Swift (1st civilian airplane with retractable landing gear), a Navion, a Mooney, and a Grumman.
Mr. Threlkeld was an independent thinker with a strong sense of responsibility to his family and community. In the 1990s, he served as a member of the Malden Airport Board, where he contributed his experience and passion for flying in support of the local aviation community. Mr. Threlkeld decided not to renew his pilot's license at the age of 90 years young. Until his passing, he continued to have a valid driver's license, enabling him to drive and maintain his vehicles. Last summer he replaced the blade on his riding lawn mower himself, and had recently completed several lawn and yard projects around the house requiring heavy lifting.
Mr. Threlkeld was also an amateur poet who enjoyed writing verses for family birthdays and special occasions. He was well known at gatherings for his ever-present camera--affectionately earning the title as the family "papa-razzi" because he was always taking pictures and videos.
Mr. Threlkeld is survived by four children: Melissa Threlkeld (Jerry Whitaker) of Ashland City, Tennessee; Melanie Threlkeld McConnell (Mike McConnell) of Waynesville, North Carolina; Merry Jo Threlkeld (Ted Anderson) of Nashville, Tennessee; and Joseph R. Threlkeld, Jr. (Diane) of O'Fallon, Missouri. He also leaves behind five grandchildren - Flannery Threlkeld Packard (Cody Packard), daughter of Melissa; Greyson Anderson, son of Merry Jo; and Amelia Anderson, daughter of Merry Jo; Mason McConnell, son of Melanie; and Molly Rose McConnell, daughter of Melanie. Great-grandchildren - Silas Pereira, Elliott, and Magnolia Packard. He is further survived by his sisters Melva Pritchett, who lovingly called her brother "Moses," and Rubye Wilcox, both of Piggott, Arkansas, along with many nieces, nephews, and dear friends who will miss him greatly.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Sharlene; his parents; and his sisters Blanche Bibb, Viola Ruth Byrd, Vida Threlkeld, and Virginia Robertson.
Visitation will be held Friday, December 5, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. at Hoggard & Sons Funeral Home in Piggott, Arkansas. Funeral services will follow on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Hoggard & Sons Chapel.
The family will host a meal at the Piggott Diner beginning at 12:30 p.m. Graveside services will follow Saturday at 3:30 p.m. at Manila Cemetery in Manila, Arkansas.
Hoggard & Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.