Mrs. Jean Leonard Keefauver, age 80, Gray, passed away Tuesday, April 7, 2015 at Holston Valley Medical Center.
Mrs. Keefauver was born in Washington County and daughter of the late Dewey Iverson & Gladys Anderson Leonard. She was also preceded in death by a brother, Don Leonard and a sister, Doris Leonard Freeman.
She was a member of Boones Creek Christian Church, where she sang in the church choir for over 40 years. She was a member of the “Mom’s In Prayer”, Women’s Bible Study, and Women’s Missionary Society.
Mrs. Keefauver retired from the United States Postal Service after 22 years of service and was a homemaker.
Survivors include her husband, William Joseph “Billy Joe” Keefauver, Gray; four daughters and sons-in-laws, Teresa & Gayle Carson, Gray, Cindy & Denny Mayes, Alcoa, TN, Rebecca & Howard Alexander, Jonesborough, and Beth & Mark Fox, Gray; grandchildren, Chasta Hite (Justin), Matt Carson, Bethany Bessom (Matthew), Brett Mayes (Casey), Madison Alexander, Whitley Alexander, Ben Fox (Katie) and Meredith Fox (Jack Dunn); five great grandchildren, much loved in-laws, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Celebration of life service will be conducted 7:00 PM Thursday, April 9, 2015 at the Boones Creek Christian Church with Minister David Clark officiating. The family will receive friends from 4:00-6:30 pm Thursday, April 9, 2015 in the Boones Creek Christian Church Fellowship Hall.
Entombment services will be conducted 10:00 AM Friday, April 10, 2015 at Washington County Memory Gardens.
Pallbearers will be grandsons, Matt Carson, Brett Mayes, Ben Fox, Matthew Bessom, Justin Hite and Jack Dunn. Honorary pallbearers will be nephews, Mike Freeman, Lee Freeman, Johnny Gray, Barry Redman, Billy Leonard, Robert Hall, John Payne, Donald Sims, Marty Durham and Dennis Cox.
Memorial donations may be made to Boones Creek Christian Church 305 Christian Church Rd. Johnson City, TN 37615 or Milligan College Athletic Department Attention: Athletic Director, P.O. Box 500 Milligan College, TN 37682.
04/16/2015
Maggie & Diane Fox
Dear Beth, we were saddened to hear of your loss. Dea called
me yesterday to let me know. You and your family have our
deepest sympathies. You are in our hearts, thoughts, and
prayers.
04/15/2015
The J.W. Douthat family
Thinking of your family with prayer and deepest
sympathy in the loss of your loved one.
Dear Bill and Family,
Please accept my very deepest sympathy for the
loss of a wonderful human being in Jean. She was
my friend and a friend to many. Her presence made
the world a better place.
Sincerely,
Johnny Crouch
04/13/2015
Ed and Delta Reedy
our deepest sympathy to all of the family. We loved Jean and
had been able to enjoy a wonderful time with her and Bill on a
cruise. May time and great memories heal your pain of loss.
04/12/2015
Barbara Sproule Conklin
i am so sorry for your loss. Mrs. Keefauver was always so
loving and kind to everyone she met. I have such fond
memories of her when I was in college with Cindy & Becky. My
heartfelt sympathies. I know she is singing with the Angels in
Heaven!
Billy Joe and girls; So sorry for your loss. She
was a wonderful women, kind and friendly. My
prayers are that the Holy Spirit will comfort each
of you. May God bless the whole family.
04/09/2015
Glen & Sissy Shipley
Our thoughts and prayers are with you!
04/09/2015
Pamela Overbay
Billy Joe, Rebecca, Beth, Teresa, Cindy and families, I am so
sorry for your loss. Jean's Christian example made all those
who came into contact with her better people. She will be
missed, but her Christian legacy will give us strength.
You could see her heart through her smile and it was full of love. Fortunately, this blessing was passed on to her four daughters. May plesant memories ease your pain.
04/09/2015
Amy Worrell Allen
I just wanted the girls to know that I adore each of you. You
are a reflection of your parents, which makes you a
BLESSING to everyone who knows you. I have been praying
for your father, for each of you, and for your extended family.
AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO. May Jesus envelope you
in His peace and Love during this time. LOVE YOU! Amy
Bill,Teresa, Cindy, Becky, Beth
& families, We are all better
for having had Jean in our
lives. She was one in a million.
My prayers are with you at this
time. Wren
04/09/2015
Lynice Broyles
My dear sweet friends, My love and prayers have been and are still with you during this time. I know you know what a special lady your mother was and what a wonderful Christian witness she was to everyone. She was always smiling and had a warm hug to give you. She will certainly be missed by many. She was a very special friend to me and I will certainly miss her. I love each of you very much.
04/09/2015
Leslie and John Wasem
We were so fortunate to begin our ministry career over 40 years
ago in a very kind and encouraging church - Boones Creek
Christian Church. The caring culture of the church was
consistently influenced by the example of Jean. Her
thoughtfulness, prayerfulness, cheerfulness, reliability, and
generosity were such a marvelous model for us as a young
ministry couple. When we returned nearly 10 years ago, these
inspiring qualities were just as evident as when we first met Jean
and Billy Jo. However, the finest tribute to Jean is the
perpetuation of her Christian character and values through her
family and friends. We pray God's comforting mercy for the
entire Keefauver family.
I am so sorry to hear of Jean's passing. She was
an inspiration to me. Her beautiful smile,
friendliness and positive attitude made her a role
model. I think she was truly a beautiful
Christian lady "both inside and out." She touched
a lot of people in a positive way and I am sure
all of her family members have memories that will
give them comfort. I enjoyed seeing her at
Dollywood several times and I always appreciated
all she did to bring the Kingdom Heirs to BCCC.
04/09/2015
Deanna Beard Kaywood
To the entire Keefauver family, May God cover you with a
blanket of peace. May God wrap his loving arms of comfort
around you just as Mrs Keefauver did through her
unconditional love. Through her example may your heart be
filled with precious memories and joy knowing you will all be
united again. You will continue to be in my thoughts and
prayers. Love from my family to yours, Deanna
04/08/2015
Eddie & Brenda Brittain
We're so sorry to hear this sad news. We have so many
wonderful memories of spending time at your parent's home.
Your mom was a beautiful lady and great hostess. Please
know that our prayers for comfort and peace are with you all.
04/08/2015
ROY AND HELEN CAMPBELL
WE WANT TO EXTEND OUR SYMPATHY AND PRAYERS TO THE
FAMILY, WE HAVE KNOWN JEAN AND BILLY JOE FOR MANY
YEARS WE CHERISH THERE FRIENDSHIP, WE HAVE ALL YOUR
FAMILY IN OUR PRAYERS BLESSINGS
04/08/2015
Robby and Deanna Hite
Prayers for peace and comfort to the Keefauver Family. Jean
was a wonderful Godly woman, sweet spirit, and a blessing to
be in her company. She will be missed greatly.
04/08/2015
daris boy martin
Billy Joe and family,
we are so sorry for your loss. Jean was a lovely
person. we will remember you in your time of
grief.god bless you and yur family. psalm 3:5-6.
dale and daris martin, darlene and paul lane, anna
and andrew.
04/08/2015
Debbie Whitehead Platz
So sorry to hear about the passing of your beautiful mother. My thougnts and prayers are with you.
I am saddened by the passing of Mrs.Jean Keefauver
and wish to extend my condolences to the entire
family.Mrs. Keefauver was a wonderful person, a
Christian who thought the best of everyone. I am
honored to have known her. God Bless her and her
family.
04/08/2015
Barbara and Riley Wagner
Our hearts are saddened to learn of Jean's passing.
She welcomed us into her home many times on our visits to Tennessee.
We will miss her and her hospitality.
Our deepest sympathy to all of her family especially Billy Joe who loved her dearly.
04/08/2015
Jeanne Keebler
To Billy Joe & family, I was so sad to hear of Jean's illness
and passing. She was an amazing, caring person. May God
Bless and comfort all of you during this very difficult time.
04/08/2015
Tracy and Allen Shepherd
No words can express our sadness at the loss of such a wonderful Christian lady. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
"And He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away." Revelation 21:4
God bless you in your time of mourning.
Tracy and Allen
04/08/2015
Janelle Scroggs Cross
May God's love surround you all in this difficult time. What a privilege to know this wonderful family. During my freshman year at Milligan I was adopted into the Keefauver family by being Cindy's roommate. They treated me like one of the girls and I treasure those memories! My mom, Dolores and I send our love to Billy Joe, Teresa, Cindy, Becky, and Beth and their families. Heaven just welcomed a wonderful woman!
04/08/2015
Hazel ,Dean, Jeff, Jason and Kelli Malone
Sincere sympathy to all of the family. Jean was one of the best people I have ever known. She was a wonderful example of what a person should be and we will miss her.
My dear Becky & family,
I am so sorry. Praying for God to comfort you both now & in
the days ahead. I'm out of town or would be there.
04/08/2015
Kenny and Carol Johnson
We send our condolences to the family. Aunt Jean was such a loving, caring person, always full of energy and enthusiasm. She brightened up every room she entered. She was an iconic member of our family. We will have all of you in our prayers.
Love,
Kenny and Carol Johnson
04/08/2015
Shelyne and Brian Ponder
So hard to lose a mother, grandmother wife and friend.
I remember Mrs. Keefhauver as all of these as the mother of
my sweet friends Beth and Rebecca and Teresa.
Through the years she loved and cared for so many.
A strong and happy leader in her family and church.
A wonderful example of a good, Christian women.
So sorry for your sorrow.
04/07/2015
Peggy & Howard Potter
Jean will be missed very much. We loved her. I don't know
what we will do without her. She has alway been here for me.
To the family we love all of you and are here if you need us.
04/07/2015
Bailey Leonard Family
My family and I wish to express our condolences to Billy Joe
and his daughters Teresa, Cindy, Rebecca and Beth along
with their respective families. Whether it was during my visits
to East Tennessee as a child or as an adult with a family of
my own, Jean was always warm, friendly and loving with a big
smile on her face to greet me. May the love of family and
friends comfort you during these difficult times.
04/07/2015
Don and Angie Gibson
To The Keefauver Family,
We are saddened at the loss of this true example of a Christian
woman. She was an inspiration to everyone she knew. She reached
in more ways to help more people than will probably ever be truly
known. She was one of the first people to welcome me (Angie) to
Boones Creek Christian Church and made me feel so welcomed and
wanted. We pray for all of you as you suffer this personal loss in
your lives and we rejoice in Jean's victory and Heaven's gain.
Sincerely, Don and Angie Gibson
So sorry for your loss. A very fine lady.
We are so very sorry for your loss. Mrs. Keefauver was always
so very kind to me and my family and she did so much for so
many people. She was an angel on earth. I know she's
rejoicing in heaven with Jesus now. May God comfort you all.
You are all in our prayers. Love, Sharon, Ron, Danielle and
Katie Potter
04/07/2015
Gary and Betty Carson
Teresa and family, so sorry for your loss. May God give you grace during this difficult time. Time will help grief to be more bearable and memories grow fonder!
