Mary Frances Keeling, 97, departed this life on September 15, 2016. She was born on March 22, 1919 to St. John William Hill and St. Hattie Olivia (Welsh) Hill.
Mary was a member of Church of God and Saints of Christ.
She received her elementary education in Nansemond County, attending Junior High and High School at Nansemond Institute in Suffolk, Virginia. She attended Cortez Peters Business School in Washington, D.C., was graduated in June 1944 with top honors.
Mary was a charter member of Belleville Chapter No. 148, an active member in Arabia Court No. 23 of Portsmouth, VA, an Auxiliary of the A.E.A.O.N.M.S., Inc. and Past Illustrious Commandress 1966; Past Most Ancient Grand Matron Heroines of Jericho, P.H.A.; Past Most Royal Grand Commandress of the Most Royal Grand Court Order of Cyrene P.H.A.; Charter Member of the Virginia State Council of Assemblies Order of the Golden Circle and served as Grand Secretary for 30 years; and Past State Grand Loyal Lady Ruler and was elected Grand Worthy Matron for the State of Virginia in 2002.
She leaves to mourn two sons and one daughter-in-law: Milton W. Keeling, Jr. of Suffolk, VA and Elder Benjamin R. (Jeanette O.) Keeling of Wilmington, DE; two grandchildren: Jonathan R. Keeling of Evans Mills, NY and Azaria B. (Elder Kerry) McClure of New Haven, CT; nine great-grandchildren: Morgan, Anaia, Josiah, Anthony II, Tre’, Ivanna, Janiah, Julian, and Jeremy; 14 plus godchildren; one sister, E. Emma White of Suffolk, VA; two sisters-in-law: Jeanette O. Carey of Virginia Beach, VA and Magdalene Keeling of Hackensack, NJ; a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, saints and friends.
Services will be held on Sunday, September 25, 2016, 10 am at Church of God and Saints of Christ, 4300 Judah Lane, Suffolk, VA. Corprew Funeral Home in charge.
