Sofia "Rosie" Blea, 78, died Saturday, July 25, 2009 at Western Plains Medical Complex in Dodge City. She was born on December 3, 1930 at Dodge City the daughter of Miguel and Tomasa (Delgado) Espinoza.

She was raised in Dodge City, attended Dodge City schools and graduated from Dodge City High School. She married Joseph D. Blea Sr. on April 12, 1947 in Dodge City. He preceded her in death on September 15, 2003. 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 in Dodge City.


Survivors include five sons, Theodore and wife Brenda Blea of Dodge City, David and wife Gwen Blea of Goshen, Ind., Donald and wife Camilla Blea of Oceanside, Calif., Ronald and wife Cindy Blea of Dallas, Texas, William and wife Penny Blea of El Paso, Texas; one daughter, Christine Conley of Dodge City; two sisters, Margaret Blea and Della Perez both of Dodge City; 45 grandchildren, 34 great grandchildren, and 2 great great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two sons, Mark and Joseph Jr., one daughter, Georgiann Guillen, two grandchildren, Tabatha Blea and Emidio Guillen and one great grandson Cody Guillen.

Funeral Mass will be held at Cathedral Of Our Lady Of Guadalupe on Tuesday, July 28, 2009 at 10:30 AM with Rev. Ted Skalsky presiding. Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in Dodge City. Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Home on Monday, July 27, 2009 from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Vigil service will be held at Swaim Funeral Home on Monday July 27, 2009 at 7:00 PM. Memorials can be made to New Hope Organization of Dodge City in care of the funeral home.