Billy "Joe" Richie

Billy "Joe" Richie, 81, of Bay, passed away peacefully on December 20, 2024, at Regional One Health in Memphis, Tennessee. Joe was born on May 3, 1943, in Lepanto, Arkansas, to Claude and Mary Richie.

Joe started working in the roofing business with his father-in-law and worked for him for many years until he decided to start his own roofing business, Bay Roofing. Joe put his heart and soul into Bay Roofing, making sure that everyone he served in the surrounding areas of Jonesboro was always satisfied and that every job he completed was done to perfection. He was of the Baptist faith and a man of many passions. Joe loved carpentry, gardening, working in his yard, and loved going to yard sales and finding a great bargain. Christmas was his favorite time of year, and he cherished every moment spent with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who were his pride and joy.

Joe is preceded in death by his parents, Claude and Mary Richie, six brothers, and three sisters.

He leaves behind his devoted wife of 52 years, Lorine Richie, of the home; three daughters and their husbands who he loved as if they were his own sons: Dana and Mark Lamberson, Trena and Richard Meador, and Kristy and Emery Grimes, all of Bay; his sister, Martha Schneider, of Paragould; six grandchildren: Joeseph Grimes, Bronwyn Moore and husband Taylor, Travis Grimes, Mykenzie Gilmer and husband Saxton, Mallorie Meador, and Gabby Meador; two great-grandchildren: Arwyn Moore and Watson Gilmer; He is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Joe’s life on Thursday, December 26, 2024, at Emerson Funeral Home. A visitation will be held from 1:00 PM until the start of the funeral service at 2:00 PM, officiated by Rev. Dwayne Reeves. Interment will follow at Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery. Those to serve as Pallbearers include Joeseph Grimes, Travis Grimes, Saxton Gilmer, Taylor Moore, Paul Wilson and Jacob Woodward. Honorary Pallbearers are Mayburn Fletcher, Tony Coke, Wade Lamberson, Jeff McGhee, and several nephews.