Sofia "Rosie" Blea, 78, died Saturday, July 25, 2009, at Western Plains Medical Complex at Dodge City.
She was born Dec. 3, 1930, at Dodge City to Miguel and Tomasa (Delgado) Espinoza. She married Joseph D. Blea Sr. on April 12, 1947, in Dodge City. He preceded her in death on Sept. 15, 2003.
She was raised in Dodge City, attended Dodge City schools and graduated from Dodge City High School. She worked as a fry cook at Coney Island and the Dodge House before retiring.
She was a member of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Survivors include five sons, Theodore Blea and wife Brenda, Dodge City, David Blea and wife Gwen, Goshen, Ind., Donald Blea and wife, Camilla, Oceanside, Calif., Ronald Blea and wife Cindy, Dallas, and William Blea and wife, Penny, El Paso, Texas; a daughter, Christine Conley, Dodge City; two sisters, Margaret Blea and Della Perez, both of Dodge City; 45 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two sons, Mark and Joseph Jr.; a daughter, Georgiann Guillen; two grandchildren, Tabatha Blea and Emidio Guillen; and one great-grandson, Cody Guillen.
A vigil service will be at 7 p.m. today at Swaim Funeral Home, Dodge City. The funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Cathedral Of Our Lady Of Guadalupe, Dodge City, with the Rev. Ted Skalsky presiding. Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in Dodge City.
Visitation will be from 1 to 7 p.m. today at Swaim Funeral Home.
Memorials can be made to New Hope Organization of Dodge City in care of Swaim Funeral Home, 1901 Sixth Ave., Dodge City, KS 67801. Personal condolences may be left at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.
DODGE CITY —
