Arbery Lee Agnew

Arbery Lee Agnew, affectionately known to some as “Bear or Agnew”, was born July 30, 1950 in Union City, TN to Rosie and Sam Agnew. When Arbery was a young child his family relocated to Missouri where he spent his younger years.  Arbery graduated from East Prairie High School.

Arbery was blessed to have two sets of parents: (1) his beautiful loving mother Rosie and her husband Phillip Porter, and (2) his Father Sam Agnew and his loving wife Nannie.  All preceded him in death.

In the 1970’s Arbery Lee met Gwendolyn Dorothy and later moved to Cairo, IL. In the 1980’s, Arbery and Gwendolyn were married and from that union a son was born, Micah Wynton Agnew.

Arbery was employed with Burkhart Foam Manufacturing Company for more than 30 years as Lead Foreman.  Once he retired from Burkhart, he felt his working days still were not complete, so he secured another position with SECO  Manufacturing where he worked for many years.  In his final retirement, he took pleasure in making his mark on the town of Cairo, Klondike, and Mounds with his world class lawn care skills.

Some of his many hobbies included listening to good music, drawing, puzzles, fixing ANYTHING that broke and  spending time at “The Man Cave”. Many memories of Arbery are of him spinning records, sipping coffee at five in the morning, spending time with family & friends and enjoying every minute of life.

His main love was for his family and friends.  When it came to his parents, siblings, spouse, in-laws, children and dear friends there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for them or anyone that crossed his path.  No task was too small or too large for him conquer.

When you hear people say someone is the salt of the earth, in the case of Arbery Lee Agnew, this statement could not be truer.

Arbery Lee fought a courageous unforeseen medical journey that began November 2021 and gave it his all until February 1, 2024 when God whispered to him “Job Well Done”.  He was surrounded by loved ones at Memorial Hospital in Belleville, IL. Arbery Lee’s legacy lives on as a testament to resilience, love, and a caring spirit that defines us all. May his memory continue to inspire and uplift those who follow in his footsteps. He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, grandparents, his sister Linda Bradley, five brothers Phillip Porter, Michael, Alan, Byron and Timothy Agnew.

Arbery leaves to cherish his loving memory…

Four daughters: Belithia “Lee” Johnson (Kenneth) of Shorewood, IL, Georgena “Peaches” Burton (Lawrence) of Cahokia, IL, Dana “Baby Girl” Cross of Cape Girardeau, MO, and Brittany Agnew of Columbia, VA.

Three sons: Nathaniel “Nate”  Luster (Sheree) of Champaign, IL, Micah Agnew (Ashley) of St. Louis, MO,  and Joshua “Josh”  Agnew (Erika) of Grand Rivers, KY.

Nine grandchildren Chayden Cross, Alexius Cross, Zuri Izonfuo all of Cape Girardeau, MO, Shannon Smith (Kishmar) of Champaign, IL, Tyler Johnson (Halee) of Joliet, IL, Jacoby Luster of Champaign, IL, Maxton Agnew of Grand River, KY, Danyae Turner of St. Louis, MO and Talia Burton of Cahokia, IL.

One great granddaughter: Nova Davis of Cahokia, IL

Three great grandsons: Karsyn, Kamdyn and Kaidyn Smith all of Champaign, IL

Four sisters Kay Lewis (Shay) of Godfrey, IL, Joyce Perez (Mike), Barbara Sanders (John), Lynn Agnew all of Chicago, IL.

Two brothers: Elmer Agnew of Troy, MO, and Delmer Agnew of Wilson City, MO.

Three aunts: Joyce Jefro of Carbondale, IL, Mary Strayhorn of Sikeston, MO and Mary Ross (Robert) of Sikeston, MO.

Three uncles: Larry Strayhorn (Clementine) of Charleston, MO, Walter Porter of Erie, PA and Willie “Uncle Sunny” Davis of Milwaukee, WI.

Six sisters in-law: Gloria Baldwin (Joe) of Plainfield, IL, Wilma Johnson of Cairo, IL, Tonya Williams of Mounds, IL, Marilyn Williams of Milwaukee, WI, Rose Porter of Charleston, MO and Simone Agnew of Chicago.

Two brothers in-law: Gilbert Williams of Milwaukee, WI and Willie Williams.

Two special nieces: Chanda “Sue” Williams (Robert) and Shenetra “Neda” Price.

Special friends: Ronnie “Rabbit” Welch, James “JP” Posey, Clarence “Blinky” Dossie Jr, and James “Sonny” Griffin.  And a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

Friends may call Saturday, February 17, 2024 at 10:00 A.M. until the funeral hour of 11:00 A.M. at Mercy Seat Missionary Baptist Church in Charleston, Missouri with Reverend Ronnie Mack officiating. Interment will immediately follow services in Green Lawn Memorial Gardens in Villa Ridge, Illinois with the Williams Funeral Homes in charge of arrangements.