Reba Marie Keener was born on September 19, 1929 in Chickasha, Oklahoma, the daughter of the late Ben and Velma Fatheree. She passed away on May 21, 2020 at the age of 90. She was married to the late Norman Lavin Keener for 63 years before his death in 2011. Mrs. Keener is the beloved mother of Gary and Molly Keener of Nolensville TN, Debbie and Carl Conway of Lavergne TN, and Phillip and Valerie Keener of Nolensville TN. She is the loving grandmother of 8 and great grandmother of 15.
After their marriage in 1947, Reba supported Norman in his pulpit ministry for 16 years and encouraged his pursuit of his advanced academic degrees. Then in 1963 she embarked on her own professional career as executive assistant to the president of Lubbock Christian University. In 1968 she began a management career in the banking industry which she continued when she and Norman moved to Nashville in 1975. Then in 1982 she joined the development staff at Lipscomb University where she served as the founding director of Associated Women for Lipscomb, establishing 26 chapters in 3 states for the purpose of scholarship endowment. She retired from Lipscomb in 1996 when she and Norman moved to Vienna Austria to work with International Christian University where she served as librarian and taught English as a second language. The Keeners were faithful believers in Christian education, serving for 35 years with Lubbock Christian University, Lipscomb University, and International Christian University. Upon their return to Nashville in 1998 Reba continued to enjoy teaching conversational English to international immigrants in the Friendspeak program. Norman and Reba were dedicated members of the Brentwood Hills church of Christ. She is beloved by a host of friends and with her passing she leaves a powerful legacy of faithful Christian ministry and service.
Pallbearers will be her grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Associated Womens Scholarship Fund at Lipscomb University at the following link: https://www.lipscomb.edu/leads/join-us.
Funeral services and burial will be held at Woodlawn Memorial Park.
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