Althea Lee Kirkman passed away on Monday, November 10, 2014, four days before her 100th birthday at the Sonshine Manor in Republic, Missouri.

Graveside services will be held at Resthaven Memorial Gardens at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 15, 2014. Open visitation will be all day Friday at Whitaker-Eads Funeral Home in Trenton.

Althea Lee was born on November 14, 1914, in Brimson, Missouri, the daughter of Heber H. and Emily N. (McQuery) Hughes.  Although Althea lived most of her life in Trenton, Missouri, she had lived in Springfield, Missouri, since 1997.  Althea Lee accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior at the age of 10 and was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church, Trenton, Missouri.  While living in Springfield, she attended South Haven Baptist Church and James River Church.  She was a graduate of Trenton High School.  

Althea Lee was married to Frank H. Kirkman on April 12, 1936.  They were married 60 years at the time of his death in 1996.  To that union were born two daughters, Sharon Kirkman Miller and Judy Kirkman Caselman.

Mrs. Kirkman served as Grundy County Probate/Magistrate Clerk for 21 years, serving under three judges:  Judge Harry Fair, Judge Herb Brown and Judge Russell Pickett.  Following her retirement from the courthouse, Althea Lee worked 18 years for Blackmore-Whitaker Funeral Home, later known as Whitaker-Eads Funeral Home.

Althea Lee was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Kirkman; her parents, Heber and Emily Hughes; her daughter, Sharon Miller; two brothers, Clifford and Jack Hughes; her sister, Louella Hughes Bernath.

She is survived by her daughter, Judy Caselman and husband, Gomer of Springfield, Missouri; son-in-law, Ed Miller and wife Ruby of Bois D'arc, Missouri; grandchildren, Mike Miller and wife Cheryl of Auburn, Alabama; Scott Miller and wife Marsha of Springfield, Missouri; Doug Dolan and wife Stephanie of Trenton, Missouri; Shari Dolan Viox and husband Tim of Columbia, Missouri and step-grandson Craig Caselman and wife Kelly of Stillwater, Oklahoma, as well as great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.