Elba Keeling

Elba Memaw Irene Keeling, longtime resident of the Ralston community passed away on Sunday, February 1, 2009 at Fairfax Manor Nursing Home. She was 92. Elba was born the daughter of Joseph Trotter and Sarah Ida Richardson Trotter on June 16, 1916 in Easer, Missouri. She married Luther Keeling on August 12, 1931 in Jefferson, Missouri and to this union, four children were born. Elba was a homemaker and she loved cooking, gardening, and looking after her family and things around the farm. She especially loved spending time with her grandchildren. She and Luther were members of the Ralston Rebecah Lodge for several years and she was part of the Sunny Shope Fun Club. She was never once in the hospital. All of her children were born at home, where she remained until July 13, 2008 when she went into the nursing home. Elba was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother with a big heart and she will be greatly missed. She is survived by her sons, Ulis Keeling and Darrell Keeling both of Ralston, Oklahoma; 6 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Luther, November 5, 1991; son, Eugene Keeling and daughter, Della Mae Keeling. Casket bearers for the service will be Jeff McInturf, Derick McInturf, David Keeling, Doug Keeling, Ben Keeling and Greg Garrett. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, February 3, 2009 at the Fairfax Assembly of God Church with the Rev. Jay Clapp officiating. Interment will follow at Fairfax Cemetery under the direction of Hunsaker-Wooten Funeral Home.