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Joshua Keen Obituary
Born June 6, 1993, in Abingdon, Va., he was a son of Eddie and Tammy Lester Keen of Rowe. A lifelong resident of Rowe, he was a member of Oakwood Full Gospel Church. He was currently a eighth grade student at Twin Valley High School and a member of the Buchanan Basketball Foundation. He loved playing basketball and spending time with his younger brother.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Chester and Lorene Lester; his paternal grandmother, Diana Keen; and one uncle, Les "Scrooge" Coleman.
In addition to his parents, survivors include one brother, Chance Keen of the home; his paternal grandfather, Cleve Keen and wife Sadie of Oakwood; paternal great-grandmother, Melda Coleman of Honaker; aunts and uncles, Debbie and Randy Lester, Bobby and Tina Lester and Jeff and Vanessa Lester, all of Rowe, Phyllis and James Cassell of Bedford, Tim and Nancy Keen and Lisa and Foxy Reynolds, all of Honaker, and Ronda and Michael Stevens of Swords Creek; and cousins, Jeremiah, Katie Joe, Zachary, Kari, Kayla, Samuel, Justin, Whitney and Brittany.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to TruPoint Bank, Robert Simpson and the Buchanan Basketball Foundation, Black Dog Coal Co., Alpha Natural Resources and special caregivers, Liz Justus with Special Care Hospice and Dr. Eric Goss.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday at the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, Va., with the Rev. Jerry Harman and the Rev. Ancil Childress officiating. Interment will follow in the Street Cemetery at Rowe.
Pallbearers will be Jeremiah Lester, Zachary Cassell, Lucas Shortridge, Brandon Viars, Hunter Simpson, Josh Smith, Katie Jo Lester and Kari Cassell. Honorary pallbearers will be Robert Simpson, Richard Smith and the Buchanan Basketball Foundation team and family, Dr. Eric Goss, Liz Justus and Dr. Patel.
Friends may call at the Honaker Funeral Home after 6 p.m. Thursday, where a service will be conducted at 7 p.m., with the Rev. Jack Wright and the Rev. Jerry Harman officiating.
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Sharon Helton
May 13, 2008
My Prayer for You and your Family is that God will keep you in his loving care.Alot of prayers are being sent up for you in these difficult times.God Bless
Curtis,Teresa & Cody Peck
May 13, 2008
We are so sorry for your lose.God is our strength.When we can't walk he is carrying us.He will carry each of you until you are strong enough to walk again.Our Love & Prayer's are with all of you....
Gary and Lynn Woodard
May 11, 2008
Eddie and Tammy,
We did not hear of you loss until Saturday. Our hearts and prayers are with you. May God comfort you and keep you in this time of sorrow and always.
Brian Ward
May 10, 2008
i didnt know josh nor his family but a friend on myspace sent out alot of memorial bullentins about josh and the pics where awsome and he is a angel now..god bless u all ur in my prayers...
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Traci Webb Hackney
May 10, 2008
Tammy and Family,
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your son. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. May God bless you and give you peace during this difficult time.
Shelia Iron Dellinger
May 10, 2008
Tammy & Eddie,
I first met you at Vansant Food City when Joshua was a small boy. I fell in love with him the first time I saw him. He always had a beautiful smile on his face. My heart aches for you and his brother for the days to come. I pray that God will hold you in the palm of his hands and give you comfort .
Vickie Baker
May 9, 2008
Dear Tammy&Eddie,
I am so very sorry for your loss,
But know that God could not heal him
here on this earth,So he chose to take him home,and you know hes looking down on you both now,with no more pain,I can only imagine what you are going thru,but please know,you have so many friends that are there for you.May you find some peace in all the prayers that has been said ......
My daughter is Angie Daniels,and she thinks alot of you both,she talked of Josh often,,God Bless & if theres anything we can do,Please let us know,,,,,,God Bless
Jennifer Cruey
May 9, 2008
May God be with you. Our hope is in the Lord that we will be reuinted with our loved ones in heaven. May he comfort you and hold you in his loving arms.
SUSAN RATLIFF
May 9, 2008
TAMMY&EDDIE YOU ARE MY PRAYERS. IT WAS A PRIVILEGE TO TAKE CARE OF JOSH WHEN HE WAS AT JCMC.
Susan Lester
May 9, 2008
My thoughts and prayers are with you through this difficult time. May God Bless you and give you His peace that is beyond anything we can understand.
George and Barbara King
May 9, 2008
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of sorrow.
Linda Ratliff
May 9, 2008
Tammy,Eddie & Chance,
I worked as a cook at Garden Elem. and I remember Josh and how you took such good care of him. We never had to worry what he could have to eat because you were a step ahead of us or we always had a phone number to reach you. Josh was a special child in every way. His memory will live on in our hearts. May God bless you thru this difficult time and in the days ahead.
Melissa Baker Mitchell
May 9, 2008
Tammy & Eddie,
I am so very sorry for your loss. I, as many will agree, will always smile when I remember Josh. He was such a wonderful fellow. I know God will put his arms around you to comfort you during each step of the way - not just today but always.
Thelma, Chris, Maelyn, Conner Smith
May 9, 2008
Tammy, Eddie, Chance and family wea re praying for you. Lean on the Lord for the strength and comfort you need. Josh will be missed by all who knew him.
Michelle (Lowe) Brown
May 9, 2008
I just wanted to drop a note and say how deeply sorry I am for your loss. I can't even begin to imagine how terrible this is for you. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Photo taken after 2007 Pre-K Graduation
May 9, 2008
Jeff Rose
May 9, 2008
My thoughts and prayers are with your family during these days. May the God of all comfort minister to your hearts in a special way.
Kim and Travis Ratliff
May 8, 2008
We are very sorry for your loss... you and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.......
Employees of Parts Depot-Keen Mtn. Auto
May 8, 2008
Tammy and Eddie, We just wanted you to know that you are in our thoughts. We are so sorry for the loss of Josh and we hope that you may find peace and comfort.
Linda Ratliff
May 8, 2008
To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.
Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."
It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man."
God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.
When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.
I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.
There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.
If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.
So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.
And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.
Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998-2008
D Stilwell
May 8, 2008
I heard of your family and your story through some of your friends that I attend church with. I heard of your courage and hope and trust in God. May that courage, hope and trust continue to carry you in the days that stand in front of you. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Tony, Carma, Taylor, & Zachary Thomas
May 8, 2008
So sorry to hear of your loss. You all are in our thoughts and prayers.
Anna Sparks
May 8, 2008
Eddie, Tammy, Chance and family you all are in our prayers. Josh will be missed dearly. We love you all Rowdy,Anna,Amie, and Jd
Stephany Stiltner
May 8, 2008
I am so very sorry for your loss. May God comfort you and give you strength through this time.
Bridgette Hurley
May 8, 2008
I pray God will comfort your souls
in this time of loss.
Pam Newberry
May 8, 2008
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I am so sorry for your loss. Pam Newberry
Trupoint Bank/Grundy
LINDA CASTLE DUTY
May 8, 2008
I DON'T KNOW YOU BUT MY PRAYERS AND THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU DURING THIS TIME OF SORROW. TRUST IN THE LORD AND HE WILL HELP YOU CARRY YOUR SORROW. MY HEART WEEPS FOR YOU ALL, I HAVE LOST 3 CHILDREN TO STILLBORN AND I KNOW THE LORD HELP ME COPE AND GET THRU IT.. HE HAS BLESSED ME WITH 7 SPECIAL ADOPTED CHILDREN.
Amy Dye
May 8, 2008
Tammy and family my heart goes out to each and everyone of you, may the Lord give you the strength to get through this trying time. and Just think he is in a better place now, No pain and No suffering. You all are in my prayers.
Darlene White
May 8, 2008
I'm Sorry for your loss
Amy Dye
May 8, 2008
Tammy and family, My heart goes out you and your family and may the Lord give you the strength to get through this trying time. Just think he is in a better place now No pain and No suffering. You are all in my prayers.
Tammy, Chris and Josh Campbell
May 8, 2008
We are so sorry for the loss, Josh was a very sweet boy, I remember all the special times Vickie and had with Josh at the four -wheeler shop, he would come over and just sit on the four-wheelers and talk to us. He is very special. Take care! You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Angie Jackson
May 8, 2008
Our prayers are with you. I am so sorry for your loss.
The Hibbitts Family
May 8, 2008
Dear Family I just wanted to let you know all of you are in my thoughts and prayers.
May 8, 2008
Just wanted you to know that we are praying and thinking of you. God Bless you all.
Paul, Liz & Connor Welch
Jackie & Judy Farmer
May 8, 2008
We don't know you, but you are the cutest little boy, our hearts and prayers go out to you, may you still have a Happy Mothers Day, Joshua would want you to.
Glenn & Glenna Richardson
May 8, 2008
Be Still
Be still like the grass on a melancholy summer day
Be still like desert shrub.
Be calm and you will hear your loved one speak, in the stillness, in the calm, their love resounds.
If you are still this promise I make, you will hear the voice of your loved one helping you along your way.
Sherrie & Keith Baldwin
May 8, 2008
Our thoughts and prayers are with you, may Gods great love give you comfort in your time of need.
Amanda Keene
May 8, 2008
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this hard time and long road ahead. May God bless your family! Rest in peace Josh!
Janet Silcox
May 8, 2008
Tammy, So sorry for your loss. Praying that God will comfort you and give you Peace during this trying time. Janet Silcox, TruPoint Bank, Grundy
Josh -Fall of 2007 at a football game.
Ralph & Wanda Vance
May 8, 2008
Tammy, Eddie & Chance and all the rest of the family,
We loved Josh very much and will miss him. He was the bravest little fella I had ever met. He was a joy to be around even when you knew he was not feeling well. I will always remember his sweet smile and his love for life. He is at peace now and in the arms of the Lord. May the Lord's love,peace and comfort be with you every minute of the day.
Kim Yates
May 8, 2008
I am so sorry for your families loss, my heart and deepest sympathies go out to all of you.
Kim Yates/Trupoint Bank
Theresa Salyer
May 8, 2008
I don't know you,but I wanted to send my heartfelt condolescences, because as a parent I really feel for you.
May you find comfort in God & your family
Brent & Kathy Stafford
May 8, 2008
Eddie, Tammy & Family, no words we say can convey to you how deeply sorry we are for the loss of your precious son. Josh was an angel who touched our hearts. Please know how much your friends & neighbors love Josh & your family. Our hearts & prayers are with you.
Sherry McClanahan
May 8, 2008
Rest In Peace Our Angel
We will sadly miss you.
Kevin, Sherry, & Emily McClanahan
Lori Harris
May 8, 2008
You don't know me but I am a mother of 3 and they are 14,12 &10.I couldn't imagine losing one of them.My heart bleeds for you all.You will be in my thoughts and prayers for a long time coming.I know that the GOOD LORD will hold this young man close to HIM.I wish I could do something for you all but I know that no one can take this pain away. Just know that there are people who are thinking of your family during this tragic time in your lives.So sorry for your loss & pain....in my prayers,Lori H.
May 8, 2008
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Maretta, Dwight and Daniel Lester
Leslie Stanley
May 8, 2008
In love and memory's
Travis Stanley
May 8, 2008
RIP MY FRIEND WD LOVE YOU
Kalvin, Janice, Kayla, Chasity & Kristian Hess
May 7, 2008
Eddie, Tammy, Chance, Family & Friends,
If only we could say just the precise words to tell you what is in our hearts. We can only imagine your sorrow. Joshua was a true inspiration & never will we forget such a wonderful young gentleman. All of our thoughts & our prayers are for you. If you need anything don't hesitate to let us know. May the Lord lift you up in His comforting arms & give you strength. God Bless each of you.
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