Laura Simpson Keller

Laura, 75, passed away on Tuesday, February 17th, 2026 in the company of family and friends in Alexandria, VA.

Laura was born on November 14th, 1950, in Alexandria, VA to Sam and Dorothy Simpson and remained a resident of Alexandria for the majority of her life. She spent two years abroad in her childhood ('62-'63), residing in New Delhi, India while her father completed a USAID assignment. Later in life she retired to Front Royal, VA, as her parents did, to enjoy the slower pace and tranquility of the Shenandoah Valley.

Laura was a graduate of George Washington High School ('68) and went on to earn her BA from Madison College ('72), now James Madison University, where in recent years she enjoyed returning to for sorority (Sigma Sigma Sigma) reunions and events.

Upon completing her undergraduate studies, Laura started teaching in Arlington Public Schools, where she taught many different grades across her thirty-five year career as an elementary school teacher. Laura began her career teaching Kindergarten at McKinley Elementary in 1972 and following an extended maternity leave resumed at Tuckahoe Elementary where she taught until retiring in 2008. It was during her tenure at Tuckahoe that her and a cohort of Tuckahoe teachers earned their MA from George Mason University. Laura looked back fondly at her three and a half decades of teaching and cherished the many lifelong friends she made over the years at McKinley and Tuckahoe.

After retiring from teaching, Laura kept busy with many different part-time jobs, volunteer work, and hobbies. She greatly enjoyed gardening and creating floral arrangements, and was happily dedicated to bringing birthday arrangements to residents of Hidden Springs Senior Living in Bentonville, VA, where her mother Dorothy spent her final days. Laura was a deacon and very active member of her church, Rockland Community Church. She also was previously a member of the board of directors for the Property Owners of Shenandoah Farms. She lovingly cared for many memorable pets who were dear to her heart, beginning with Kelsi and lastly, Rosey and Kitty. Laura spent her life helping others and will no doubt be remembered by all for her benevolence, kindness, patience, love, and understanding. "Always Live by the Golden Rule"

She is survived by her husband, Charles L. Keller Sr. Also surviving is her son, Charles L. Keller Jr, his wife, Amy D Keller, and her beloved granddaughters, Kathleen and Grace, of Alexandria, VA. Her brother, Richard Simpson, and his wife, Barbara Simpson, of Mount Pleasant, SC; and her nieces Emily Simpson, of Mount Pleasant, SC and Johanna Carson, of New York, New York also survive.

Visitation with the family will be held on Friday, March 6th, from 4 to 6 p.m. at EVERLY-WHEATLEY FUNERAL HOME, 1500 W. Braddock Rd., Alexandria, VA.

A memorial service will be held for Mrs. Keller at the Rockland Community Church, 2921 Rockland Rd, Front Royal, VA 22630 on Saturday, March 7th at 11:00 a.m.

You may make memorial contributions to:

Rockland Community Church

Humane Society of Warren County

Blue Ridge Hospice