Anna Keller

Our beloved mother, Anna Harris Keller, 97, a life-long resident of Norfolk, VA, passed away on Wednesday, April 1, with family by her side. Anna was born on April 22, 1928, at Portsmouth Naval Hospital, to the late Annie May Harris and Robert Carter Harris.

Anna grew up in the west side of Norfolk. She adored her older brothers and sister, and was the typical pesky little sister to all. She attended Larchmont Elementary, Blair Jr. High and Maury High School, and later Kee’s Business College. In her early teens, she sang on Joe Brown’s Radio Gang show, usually broadcast from local USO events. As a teenager, she worked various jobs in downtown Norfolk (usually following in her sister Sally’s footsteps), varying from Reeds women’s clothing store to an optician’s office. During that time, she met her husband Carlton while they were on a double date (with others!) They married at Larchmont Baptist Church on Aug. 31, 1948. Once married, she began her time working as a federal employee, doing secretarial work. Once her first-born, Carl, was born, she became a full-time Mom, and remained incredibly devoted to her children her entire life. They truly WERE her life, and she was an amazing and loving Mom and grandmother.

She went back to Federal employment for a few years during the late 60s, and again in the 80s. After she stopped working, she discovered bowling; that became her favorite pastime for many years! She also loved her trips to Atlantic City, with either Carlton, her sister-in-law Edith, or her friend Wanda. (She loved playing poker the best!)

Anna was predeceased by her husband Carlton, her sister Sally Harris Meyerhoffer (and husband Kenny), her brothers Eddie Hebert (and wife Edith), Joe Harris (and wife Evelyn), and her niece Carol Harris Hicks.

She is survived by her son Carlton Keller, Jr., daughter Gail Keller Smith (Mark), grandsons Shane Keller (Evie), Justin Smith, Tyler Smith (Julia), and great-granddaughter Nadia. Also nieces Karen Meyerhoffer Wilson and Kimberly Anne Meyerhoffer, and nephews Kenny Meyerhoffer (Beth,), Keith Meyerhoffer, and Joel Harris (Nancy), and nephew-in-law Ron Hicks.

Anna spent her last year and a half living at The Gardens of Virginia Beach, where she was greatly cared for by the staff who seemed to get a kick out of this feisty little lady! Her family will always be grateful for the affection and respect they showed Anna; their work is difficult and demanding, yet they were always there for her. They also cared for her following her many visits to the ER, too (she fell quite a bit, including breaking her hip AND femur at 96, but 2 months post-surgery, she was once again walking the halls with her rollator!) And in her final weeks, Trinity Hospice came into Anna’s life, as well as her family’s lives, and took such loving care of her, devoting many hours to making her comfortable, spending lots of time with her to keep her spirits up, and just sitting with her and holding her hand when that’s exactly what she needed. These people are SO dedicated, and it actually felt as though THEY came to love her, too. Her family will always be grateful for their knowledge, their kindness, their compassion and their devotion to Anna, and the care they showed to her family.

Anna’s funeral service will be held at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 6329 E. Virginia Beach Blvd., Norfolk, VA, on Wednesday, April 8, at 2:00, and the family will receive friends between 1:00 – 2:00. Condolences may be offered to the family on the Woodlawn website at www.woodlawnnorfolk.com.