Joseph Truett Colbert Jr.

A Celebration of Life service for Joseph Truett Colbert Jr., 72, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 23, 2024, at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, Mountain View, Missouri.  

Mr. Colbert passed away March 14, 2024, at Ozarks Healthcare. 

He was born on September 9, 1951, to Joseph Truett Colbert and Vernieca May (Easley) Colbert in Willow Springs. He attended Normandy High School in St. Louis and graduated from Willow Springs High School in 1969. He attended Southwest Baptist University from 1969-1970. Standing up for what he believed in, he lived his life with a rebellious spirit.  He was married on November 27, 1970, to Myra Suzanne “Suzi” Walpole at Immanuel Baptist Church in Pomona, MO. They settled in the Kansas City North area and raised two beautiful daughters, Heather and Betsy. He worked for Southwestern Bell, which later became AT&T, for 31 years as a frameman, installer, lineman, and special services. While employed with Southwestern Bell, Joe was actively involved in his union, CWA Local 6333, and served both as a steward and vice-president for many years. He believed firmly in the power of collective bargaining and always supported organized labor. He participated in the United Way Community Services Review Board. He attended many state, national, and international conventions.  Joe and Suzi enjoyed traveling all over the United States, especially to see mountain ranges.  His father taught him fishing at an early age, which became a lifelong love. He enjoyed hunting, camping, and searching for morel mushrooms. He was an avid Kansas City sports fan and loved the Chiefs and Royals, but also rooted for the St. Louis Cardinals. He was a season ticket holder for the Kansas City Chiefs for a number of years and attended more than one playoff game.  Joe was a skilled musician, having performed at many night clubs and festivals in the KC area. He was in a number of bands with Suzi and played harmonica, guitar, and sang lead vocals during the 1970s and early 80s in bands, including Topaz, Another Roadside Attraction, the Midnight Riders, and the Moonlighters. The apex of his musical career was performing in front of 50,000 people at the Kansas City Blues Festival with Chicago musician Abb Locke.  He and Suzi moved to West Plains, MO, in 2022, where he enjoyed being close to his brothers, sister and other family. He was grateful to play with his brothers as The Colbert Brothers at the Old Time Music Festival.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Suzi Colbert, of the home; his daughter, Heather Suzanne Colbert Southwell (husband, Prentice Southwell) of Springfield, IL; grandchildren, Amberlee May Suzanne Southwell and Aimee Rhea Lorraine Southwell of Springfield, IL; his siblings, Van Edward Colbert (wife, Carolyn Kaye) of Willow Springs; Milfred Leon Colbert of Willow Springs; Vernon Ray Colbert of Willow Springs; Robert Jay Colbert of Willow Springs; Mary Ethel Kellum (husband, Robert Kellum) of West Plains; and George Colbert (wife, Elizabeth Colbert) of Willow Springs; sister-in-law, Martha Wartick (husband, Steve Wartick) of Cedar Falls, Iowa; sister-in-law Lorene Colbert of Mtn. View, MO; and a number of nieces and nephews, one great-niece, and many great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Elizabeth Mae Colbert; his grandson, Robert Joseph Bryce Southwell; his brother, John Hall Colbert III; and his sisters-in-law, Patricia Colbert, Linda Diane Walpole Price Garza, and Lisa Colbert.

Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Christos House Shelter or Martha Vance Samaritan Outreach Center and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

Directions to Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church:  From Highway 60, turn south on Highway U.  Travel 0.1 mile on Highway U.