Barbara Keller

Barbara Ann O’Daniel Keller passed away on November 8, 2015 after an amazing 76-year life—made all the more so by the countless ways her life touched those around her. Growing up in Bay, Arkansas, she was the only girl in a family of boys, which meant she was blessed with incredible fortitude, humor, and sass. Barbara was also fearless. Whether teaching middle school reading and English, swimming with dolphins in Honduras, riding a helicopter into the heart of the Grand Canyon, or cruising through the Panama Canal, she jumped into her life’s adventures with her arms wide open.

Barbara lived her entire life guided by faith—faith in God, and faith in the inherent goodness present in the people around her. She was a member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church for nearly 40 years, embracing the concept of service both within her beloved church family and the community surrounding it. She believed in giving back, including volunteering with Helping Neighbors Food Pantry and Two Saints’ Kitchen, and serving as an auxilian at St. Bernard’s Hospital. She deeply loved animals, especially dogs, and supported an array of charities that cared for them.

Barbara is survived by two brothers (John and Warren), who loved to torment her when they were young but redeemed themselves by being wonderful big brothers; three children (Jay, Kitty, and David) who adored and admired her in ways too numerous to mention; two daughters-in-law (Dee and Robyn) whom she loved as if they were her own; and four grandchildren (Catherine, Jonathan, Harrison, and Lauren) whom she considered to be the most miraculous human beings alive.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00pm on Saturday, November 21, 2015 at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Jonesboro. In honor of her beautiful, well-lived life and in lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Helping Neighbors Food Pantry (PO Box 19182 Jonesboro, Jonesboro, AR 72403 or call 870.935.7298); St. Mark’s Episcopal Church (513 W. College Ave., Jonesboro, AR 72401 or call 870.932.2124); or the Northeast Arkansas Humane Society (www.neahs.org).