James Alvin McKeathern

McKEATHERN, James Alvin, 77, passed away October 1, 2010. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Fred and Alverta W. McKeathern. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Gertrude B. McKeathern, of Bracey, Va.; daughters, Margaret A. McKeathern of Rockville, Md. and Elizabeth B. McKeathern of Raleigh, N.C.; one cousin, Richard "Butch" Harris of Richmond, Va.; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, James Bennett, deceased (Marie), Joseph Bennett (Julia), Claude Bennett (Rose), Alfred Bennett (Wilma, deceased), Willie L. Bennett (Gloria), Freddie Bennett (Colleen), Margaret Meade (Milton), and Shirley Kirton; as well as many other relatives and friends. He was a loving husband and father. A graduate of Virginia State University, he was a decorated retired lieutenant colonel who served in the Army for 22 years, with tours of duty in Vietnam, Korea, and Germany. He went on to a second career as a seventh and eighth grade physical science teacher at Park View Middle School in Mecklenburg County, Va., from which he also retired after 22 years. During his time of teaching he received several awards for Outstanding Service in Education. In addition, Mr. McKeathern was a longtime member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Bracey, Va., where he served faithfully in several capacities, including as a lay reader. He performed the duties of lay reader at a number of the Episcopal churches he attended over the years. He also was a life member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. The family will receive friends from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Oris P. Jones Funeral Establishment, 301 West Atlantic Street, South Hill, Va. (434-447-7158) on Monday, October 4, 2010. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, October 5, 2010 at 11 a.m. at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Bracey, Va. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Please omit all food items. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Parkinson Disease Association.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.