Christine Keeton

Christine (née: Kelly) Keeton, 91, of Independence, MO, rose to her beloved Creator and Savior for eternity on February 27, 2010, at Carmel Hills Healthcare and Rehab Center, which provided very professional and loving care to her. She was born October 2, 1918, on a farm in Lamine, MO, to George Richard and Mary Elizabeth (née: Brady) Kelly and was the youngest of 11 children. Later, she lived on a Dover, MO farm and, when she was 9 years old, the family moved to a farm on Spring Branch Rd. (now Truman Rd.) in eastern Jackson County, MO. She graduated from Spring Branch School and William Chrisman High School, Independence, MO, where, in 1936, she met her husband, Glenn Ayres Keeton. They married October 13, 1940 at the Spring Branch Rd. farm, following which her mother, whom she dearly loved, died the next day. She was employed 4 years by J.C. Penney’s, Independence, as a sales clerk and The Commerce Trust Co., Kansas City, for 19 years (1950-1969) as a securities vault clerk and teller. She was active in establishing a Neighborhood Watch chapter and served as President. She spent much time helping those in need, often visiting and cooking/delivering food to the ill and grieving, sewing clothes and pillows for young children, giving money and gifts to needful friends and strangers, donating money to support Christian prison ministries and missionary works in India, as well as attending many funerals in support of friends and relatives. Her life reflected her great love for God and Jesus Christ. Raised in the Church of Christ, she embodied the loving spirit of Christ and was a spiritual influence, by Christian example and admonitions, in leading her husband, son, and others to Christ. Through her devoted, self-sacrificial service to others, she was indeed God’s instrument for good on this earth through her tenderheartedness, Christ-like loving kindness, and generosity, she was an earthly angel who ministered to many. She was a prolific writer and enjoyed composing poetry, typically with inspirational, spiritual themes. She gave large numbers of greeting cards and gifts, notes and letters of encouragement to friends and relatives on the occasions of their marriages, birthdays, illnesses, and passings of loved ones. She was predeceased by her husband (1994), father, mother, and 10 brothers and sisters. Survivors include her son, Bruce Keeton, Independence, MO; grandchildren: Mark Keeton (and great-granddaughters, Graecyn, Ellie, and Tenley Keeton), Hutchinson, KS); Blake Keeton, Independence, MO; Kelly Kelso, Pittsburg, KS. A visitation will be held from 6-8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 2, at the Carson-Speaks Chapel, 1501 W. Lexington, Independence, MO. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday at the chapel, immediately followed by interment at Mt. Washington Forever Cemetery, Independence. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Blue River Church of Christ, 221 NE Woods Chapel Rd., Lee’s Summit, MO 64064, where she was a faithful and beloved charter member.