Theo was a 2018 graduate of Willis High School. Though he could not speak, his teachers indicated that his big blue eyes communicated whatever he was thinking. He enjoyed school, learned self help skills and being with his fellow classmates. Because his body did not create muscle mass, he could not walk. However he was triple jointed, so he found creative ways of escaping his wheelchair, hospital beds, car seats and any device he found inconvenient over the years. It was absolutely fascinating to watch the reaction of others when Theo would twist his torso into a pretzel. It was a bit frightening to watch how he would take his left leg behind his head and scratch his right ear! He did have the sweetest smile but used it so he could snatch your glasses before you knew what had happened. Many necklaces, bracelets and hair clips were destroyed as well and once his voice changed, you would hear a wicked baritone chuckle as you gathered the broken pieces. His favorite place to be was outdoors. Whether taking walks with a caregiver through the neighborhood, sitting under the trees watching cars go by or on the back patio, he was most content outside. In the early years Theo was able to come to church with the family, his caregiver would take him on walks when he got restless in class and disrupted the other children. Sometimes the caregiver would cut through the Atrium to get him back to class before the sermon had ended. Theo happened to love the sound of his echo in that Atrium. I am not sure the Pastor always appreciated Theo’s unintended contribution to the message or the stifled giggles it produced.
From birth Theo’s many health issues made him vulnerable in many ways, yet he outlived the timeline that was dictated by the history of the various disorders. But God had a different timeline for Theo and he kept teaching us through this beautiful little soul. You see God had claimed Theo before time began, Theo was a gift just lent to us for a while. Last Saturday morning he was breathing, and then right before our eyes, suddenly he was not. Just that quick. Healed from head to toe and inside out! Praise Jesus, he was absent from that body and wonderfully, perfectly whole in the presence of our Lord!
Theo is preceded in death by grandparents Juanita Katherine Battle Keller and Theo D. Keller, great grandfathers Robert Aaron Hambrick, Lester O. Tucker, and Great grandparents Joe and Betty Anthony.
Theo is survived by his parents, sister Victoria Elizabeth Keller, grandparents Jay and Connie Anthony, and great grandmothers Mada E. Hambrick and Melba D. Tucker, and numerous Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and friends.
The family gratefully acknowledges the care Theo received from Texas Children’s Hospital, St Luke’s- The Woodlands, Lone Star Clinic, and Thrive Home Health Agency. Thanks go to Devotion Hospice who guided us through this last week. Finally, we praise God for our partners in having Theo with us at home for so long. The home health nurses Grace, David, Joy and Juana for their God honoring care over the last 16 years, becoming a part of our forever family.
I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the Glory that will be revealed in us - Romans 8:18
Funeral services will be held Thursday, September 25, 2025 at 11:00 am at First Baptist Church Conroe with a visitation beginning at 10:30 am. Burial will follow in McAdams Cemetery, Bedias, Texas at 1:30 pm.
If you would like to make a donation in Theo’s memory, the family suggests: First Baptist Church of Conroe, 600 North Main Street, Conroe TX 77301. [email protected]
