Harry Brown Ketner

Harry Brown Ketner, age 96, passed away on Saturday, October 28, 2023. Harry was born on July 15, 1927 to the late Shirley M. and Mamie Davis Ketner on a farm outside of Salisbury, NC. He grew up and lived in that area until 1946 when he was drafted into the Army Air Corp, which became the US Air Force in 1947. Harry married Ruth A. Snitchler on October 23, 1951. They were married for 66 years until her death on March 2, 2018.

He served in the Air Force for 24 and a half years, moving to various bases in Korea, France, England and shore to shore in the US. Harry retired from the Air Force in 1970 as a Master Sargent, and his family settled in Bossier City, LA. After his retirement he worked as a draftsman for seven years, then worked at ARKLA Gas in Shreveport, LA for ten years, and then retired again and moved with his wife to Yellville, AR for seventeen years. They moved once more in 2005, where they settled in Clayton, to be closer to family.

Harry was very active in Southern Baptist churches wherever he lived. He was a licensed minister of the gospel and ordained and served as a deacon. He loved the Bible and spent many, many hours reading and studying it. His wit and humor were quick and pervasive. He was a man of integrity and had a strong work ethic, which have passed on to his children.

He is survived by his sons, William A. Ketner of Lillington, Robert P. Ketner and wife, Christene of Clayton; daughters, Linda J. Nance, and husband, Stephen of Clayton, Alisa J. Smalley and husband, Kenneth of Dalton, GA and Barbara J. Guillet of New Smyrna Beach, FL as well as 12 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

A funeral service celebrating Harry’s life will be held on Friday, November 3, 2023 at 11:00am at the First Baptist Church of Clayton. The family will receive friends on Thursday, November 2, 2023 at McLaurin Funeral Home from 6:00 – 8:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church General Fund PO Box 35 Clayton, NC 27528.