Burnice Keen

Burnice Hazel Keen SWORDS CREEK, Va. Burnice Hazel Keen, age 84, was surrounded by her loving family as she passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010, in a Lebanon hospital following a brief illness. She was born in Buchanan County, Va., and was the daughter of the late Patton and Cloey Horn Vandyke. She was of the Holiness faith and enjoyed collecting dolls, cooking, making quilts and growing flowers. Her greatest passion was her family, she was a wonderful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Stewart Short; second husband, Willie Keen; her son, Jimmie Short; her daughter, Jerline Salyers and sons-in-law, Charles Salyers and Danny Akers; and one grandson, John Russell Short. Those who remain to carry on her spirit are: her daughters, Janet Boyd and husband Jimmie of Swords Creek, Judy Akers of Bluefield, W.Va.; sons, Jerry Short and Sue of Saltville, Va., Jack Short and Brenda of Swords Creek, John Short and Gaynell of Thompson Valley, Va.; 18 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren also survive; along with a host of family and friends. Funeral services for Burnice Keen will be conducted at 7 p.m. Thursday evening, Jan. 14, 2010, at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands, Va., with the Rev. Billy Vandyke officiating. Interment will be on Friday, with a graveside service at the Esau-Rife Cemetery on Keen Mountain. in Buchanan County, VA. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Friends may call at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands on Thursday evening at 6 p.m. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands is serving the family and those wishing to express condolences online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com