Keeli Janelle Clark

“How can the dead be truly dead when they still live in the souls of those who are left behind?” —Carson McCullers, The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter After a protracted battle with breast cancer, Master Sergeant (United States Air Force–Retired) Keeli Janelle Clark, at the age of 41 passed away on October 8, 2020 in Alexandria, VA. Keeli was a proud loving mother of two children; son Devin Cabino (21), and daughter Summer Clark (15). Keeli was born at Fort Sam Houston Army base in San Antonio, TX, on September 5, 1979 to mother June Medford, and father Reuben Coleman Jr. She was born into a military family (USAF) and graduated from Salem High School in Virginia Beach, VA (with honors) in 1997. She joined the Air Force on April 8, 1998, and retired August 17, 2020, serving over 22 years in the service for her country. Duty stations include Langley Air Force Base (AFB), Virginia; Lackland AFB, TX; and her final duty station was at Headquarters Air Force, The Pentagon, Washington, D.C. She completed deployments in Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia. Her favorite duty station was Lackland AFB, TX, because she was close to family. She was awarded many distinguished awards, such as the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Air Force Achievement Medal. During her service, she completed a bachelor’s degree in Sociology with Ashford University. Her son, Devin, is currently a Junior at the University of Texas at San Antonio, studying Sports Marketing. Her daughter, Summer, is a Sophomore at Hayfield Secondary School and wants to pursue a career in Art. Both are resilient and strong and surrounded by a loving family to help them achieve all that Keeli dreamed they would. Keeli was just in the process of retiring with the Air Force, when her breast cancer returned. She fought long and hard and didn’t give up, having faith in God knowing no matter what happened, she would be ok. She was surrounded by love, family, and her Air Force sisters and brothers. Keeli loved the ocean, sitting on the beach, listening to the waves, and enjoying the sun on her face. She also loved God, helping others, mentoring, working with children, spending time with her friends, laughing, traveling, reading, painting, being pampered at the spa, dancing, music, and was an avid sports fan; she loved her Denver Broncos, Texas Longhorns, and UFC fighting. Some of her favorite things were butterflies, seahorses, Tiger lily flowers, and the color purple. She was a strong, amazing mother, friend, and daughter. She was a patriot and loved her country. Her joys in her life were her kids, family, laughing until it hurt, and making memories. Keeli’s family includes: (preceded in death) her grandfather Robert A. Clark; survived by her brothers Marc, Sean, Jordan and Cameron; niece Kya; grandmother Bernice Clark; stepmother Cynthia Coleman; Aunt Robin, Uncle Brian, and cousin Bryson; nephew Greyson (Marc); Aunt Janice, Uncle Bobby; numerous cousins, aunts, grandparents, and friends. The family would love to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff at the Fort Belvoir Oncology Clinic for their constant, attentive treatment, and the Demaine Funeral Home for helping with the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to Breast Cancer Research in honor of Keeli. (https://www.bcrf.org) Flowers can be sent to: Demaine Funeral Home 5308 Backlick Rd Springfield, VA 2215