Joey Lee Holeman

On November 17, 1953, Joey Lee Holeman was born from the union of the late Clarence “Pete” and Othella Holeman. Mr. Holeman as he like to be called, graduated from the Poplar Bluff Senior High School of the great class of 1972. After High School, Mr. Holeman attended Three Rivers Community College, where he received his Business Degree. From there, he began to work for Rowe Furniture in Poplar Bluff in the 1970s. In March of 1979, he married Rose Taylor, where they stayed wedded until 2002.
While working for the city, Mr. Holeman found a new beginning and began umpiring and refereeing baseball and basketball games for the local and surrounding area youth teams. The more games he began to referee, the more people he began to “rub elbows” with as more people would call and ask for him personally to ref their games. Mr. Holeman never considered refereeing a job but as a part of him giving back to the games he loved. Along with refereeing Mr. Holeman, enjoyed attending basketball games for both the Mules and the Raiders as he always had tickets to give during the “Show-Me Showdown” around the Christmas season. Even today, Poplar Bluffians recognize and respect the contributions Mr. Holeman has given to his surrounding community and his beloved Poplar Bluff. Until his retirement in 2018 with Municipal Utilities, Mr. Holeman was still active in the sports world, as the third generation of the Joey Holeman clan began to play sports.
Mr. Holeman was the President of the Poplar Bluff Chapter of the Semo Civic and Social Club, where they would host the annual Poplar Bluff Day, along with doing events and activities throughout the year. He enjoyed being part of the club as it allowed him to travel and meet new people, who were apart of the same club in different cities. Even though he would dress down in everyday life, Mr. Holeman enjoyed dressing up and jumping clean for special events, as he was called one of the “smooth cool cats” of his generation. Outside of his social life, Mr. Holeman loved both his family as well as his friends. There wasn’t too much that Mr. Holeman wouldn’t do for his family or friends, if he had it, and even if he didn’t have it, he tried to make a way for you to get it. Mr. Holeman is a beloved, cherished, respected and honored man who will truly be missed by all.
Mr. Holeman leaves his legacy and memories to his ex-wife, Rose Holeman of Forrest City, AR, a daughter, Markette Holeman (Rico) of Memphis, TN, a son, Skyler Holeman (Jaime) of Florrisant, MO, Three Grandsons, Cohen Lee of Poplar Bluff, MO, Camden Lee of Van Buren, MO and Marico Pierre Jr of Memphis, TN. Two Uncles, Tevel Holeman (Curtis) of San Diego, CA and Orell Holeman of Kankakee, IL. Two Aunts, Ruth Ann Scott of Atlanta, GA and Lucy Payne of Minnesota. A host of loving, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends and the city of Poplar Bluff. Both parents, Clarence “Pete” Holeman and Othella Caldwell proceed him in death along with his brother Clarence “Butch” Holeman, an Aunt, Joanne Holeman and four Uncles, Cledius “Bob”, Andrew, Dave and Ezell. Services are Saturday August 6th, 2022  Visitation will be from 10am-12pm and funeral services will follow at Fowler-Sullivan Funeral Home in Poplar Bluff, MO Burial will take place at the City Cemetery in Poplar Bluff, MO
                                                                         With Deepest Gratitude
The family of Joey Holeman wishes to send their greatest gratitude to all of those who have called, text, prayed or just thought about us in our time of grievance. The overwhelming amount of love and appreciation for our loved one, Mr. Joey Holeman, has been tremendously appreciated in ways we couldn’t even fathom. Again, we say thank you from the deepest part of our hearts and ask that you keep us in your continued prayers as this is not the end of the journey for us.

                                                                                                              Pallbearers
                                                                                            Rodney Matthews        Lionel Matthews
                                                                                            Michael Richie             Kelvin Tripp
                                                                                            Bobby Joe Williams      Bob McDonald
                                                                                            Travis Holeman             Steve Rhodes

                                                                                                          Honorary Pallbearers
                                                                                             Orell Holeman              Ronnie Matthews
                                                                                             Tevel Holeman              Riley Raulston
                                                                                             Douglas Matthews        Dee Dee Taylor,
                                                                                             Lowell Jordan               Gordon Gipson Jr
                                                                                                               Ricky Magness

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