Kenny Brakefield

Kenneth “Kenny” James Brakefield of Steelville, MO was born on Sunday, April 6, 1952 in Carrollton, IL to Kenneth Lee Brakefield and Avis Doss McMaster, but was raised by his Grammy and Pop, Lytle and Pearl Doss. He passed away on Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at his home at the age of 68 years, 8 months and 24 days. Kenny grew up in Berryman, MO and attended Potosi High School. He accepted the Lord early in life. As a kid, he worked at the gas station in Berryman. He later worked as a mechanic for Henry Gillam, went into logging with Johnny Doss, was a heavy equipment operator for the Dettler’s for several years, built houses with Lynn Bond and worked in the oil fields in Texas for a couple of years operating heavy equipment. Kenny was a jack of all trades. He met the love of his life, Norma Lee Gibbs on October 24, 1970. They were united in marriage on June 30, 1974 in Salem, MO by Norma’s uncle, Glen Gibbs, and to this union two children were born. By Kenny’s request, they renewed their wedding vows on December 28, 2020, just two days before his passing. Kenny enjoyed hunting and fishing. He liked to tinker on old cars, rebuild motors, and take pieces from 3 different vehicles to make 1. He acquired the nicknames “Catfish” and “Hippie” by a couple of his lifelong friends. Kenny never was wild about Norma’s dogs or having them in the house until recently, and became attached to their dog Libby who napped with him. Most of all, Kenny loved his family and was very protective of them. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend who will be sadly missed and always remembered. Many young people called him “Dad” and “Papa”. He was preceded in death by his father Kenneth Lee Brakefield; Grammy and Pop Lytle and Pearl Doss; grandparents Monroe and Goldie Brakefield; parents-in-law Vernon and Hazel Gibbs; infant sister Georgia Diane Brakefield; brothers-in-law Charlie Medlock, Randy Gibbs and William Dickey and daughter-in-law Shalanna “Sha” Harmon. He is survived by his wife Norma Brakefield of Steelville, MO; mothers Avis McMaster of East End, MO and Estelee (Jim) Kelly of Doe Run, MO; children Tausha Brakefield, Kenneth “Flip” Brakefield and James (Kathy) Kiblinger all of Steelville, MO; grandchildren Kenna Brakefield, Roman Levi Brakefield and Timothy Kiblinger all of Steelville, MO; great granddaughter Elaina Sha Brakefield; siblings Rick (Samantha) Rogers of New Smyrna Beach, FL, Shirley Brakefield of Cuba, MO and Cathy (Chris) Wolff of East End, MO; sisters-in-law Nancy “Susan” (Ronny) Watson of Williamsburg, MO and Eunice Medlock of Farmington, MO; nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.