Ruby Jewel Keeler

Ruby Keeler, who called Powell her home for 79 years, died at Powell Valley Care Center on June 29 just a month short of her 102nd birthday.

 She was born August 8, 1922 in Seminole, Oklahoma to Frank and Mary Smith, one of 7 children. The family moved to Orange, Texas in a covered wagon where her dad worked in a paper mill. They moved back to Oklahoma 8 years later.

 During the depression, she picked cotton to help feed the family.

 She married Charles Keeler June 15, 1940. They moved to Illinois where Charles found work in the oilfield. They ended up back in Oklahoma where they farmed for a couple of years before moving to Powell in 1945. Charles worked in Elk Basin where they lived for several years. In 1955, they bought the company house they lived in and moved it to Road 10 on the acre of ground they bought. They raised a huge garden and Ruby canned and froze the produce for her family. She was a seamstress and loved to bake. Her kitchen was filled with the wonderful smells of the cookies she made for neighbors, church groups and friends. One can only guess how many dozen cookies she made, but it had to be in the thousands of dozens.

 Her joy in life was her family, her children Charlene, Glenna, Nolan and Carla, 5 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren and one great, great grandson, whom she was able to meet and cuddle shortly before her death. Her family was always in awe of her memory of the family trees on both sides of the family, events and friends and their children. She was definitely the family historian.

 Ruby was proceeded in death by her parents, siblings, husband Charles, infant daughter Vivian, daughter Charlene Engen and son-in-law Don Engen.

 Survivors are son Nolan Keeler, daughter Glenna (Lou) D’Amico, Carla (Russ) Essex, grandchildren Kurt (Marsha) Kevin, and Kathy Engen, Danial Keeler (Kate) and Julie (Ron) Moore. Great grandchildren Dexter (Alicia), Delainey, Hailey, Michael, Gabbie, Andy, Gracie, and great, great grandson Teddy.

 Services will be held Tuesday July 9 at 10 a.m. at the First Southern Baptist Church. Memorials may be made t0 Back Pack Blessings or the charity of your choice.

To view the Live stream event please go to: https://www.facebook.com/events/389967840254569/