Bessie Keene

Bessie Keene was born on February 25, 1918 in Pamplin City, Virginia. She left this world to live eternally with Jesus on September 19, 2002. Bessie attended school in Virginia, and at an early age she moved on to live in Baltimore, Maryland. After moving to Baltimore, she settled down to establish her family. Bessie was employed as a Dietician with Sinai Hospital for a period of time, after which she became head cook at several school cafeterias in the Baltimore City School System. She worked for the Baltimore City School System until she retired in 1980. After her retirement she became an active member of the Govans Community Senior Citizens Organization. Mother Keene, as her church family called her, was a member of the Mount Calvary Freewill Baptist Church. She served on the Mother Board. She was a loyal member of the Pastor’s Aide, and a strong alto voice on the Senior Choir. She attended Sunday school and Bible Study regularly. Mother Keene remained a dedicated and active member until her health failed and prevented her from attending service. However, she remained faithful, and retained her close relationship with God, which was evident in the way she continued on the face of her illness. When she prayed her fervent prayers made one feel blessed. Just as she was when in good health, during her illness, Mom never complained. When asked how she was feeling, she always answered, “fine”. She had a dry wit, and although she was confined to bed, she always managed to come up with something that would make one laugh. She had the ability to make each and every one of her children feels individually special. However, we all agree that gathering around the table to one of her delicious meals were the highlight of our lives. Many of Mother Keene’s immediate family members preceded her in death: husband, Forrest Melton; husband, Leroy Keene; sisters, Catherine, and Elizabeth; brother, Joseph; daughters, Rosa Lee and Charlotte and sons, Patrick, Forrest and Clifton. She leaves to cherish her memory, sons, Walter David Melton, Edward C. Keene, Jaycee Keene and Stephen Keene; daughters, Lorraine Hamilton, Lois Bailey, Ava Sparrow, Bernadette Keene, Helen Keene Myles, and Angela Adams, sons-in-law, Alex Hamilton, Maurice Bailey, Douglas Sparrow, Louis Myles, and Donald Adams, daughters-in-law, Ann Pryor, Geraldine Melton, and Denise Keene. She also leaves her loving grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends who loved her and will miss her.

Tributes

Bessie Keene

February 25, 1918 - September 19, 2002