Carrie Ellena Keener

One of eleven children of Baxter and Magnolia Davis, Carrie Ellena Keener was born in Spring Creek, North Carolina on July 3, 1907. Though her goal had been to live to be 100, that was not to be. But she lived life fully telling people that the reason for her longevity was she took each day as it came. On February 17, 2006 at 10:03 p.m. she left this life for a far greater one. She was 98 years old. Her vision of death was new life in a beautiful place, and she imaged her husband and son there with numerous others to greet her. Her strong faith and belief in God and Christ sustained her. She was preceded in death by her husband of sixty-five years, the Rev. Weaver James "Jim" Keener, and their son, Max Gordon Keener. She is survived by her daughter, Marty Rinze, of San Diego, CA; her son Karl William Edward Keener and his partner Leanne Gulbranson of Clovis, CA; her daughter Kim K. Scofield and her husband, Bill Little of Austin, TX; grandson Bobby Little and his wife Michele and their three boys, Justin, Ty and Cole of Bedford, TX; grandson David Little and his wife Amy and their three children, Sam, Ashley and Sarah, of Dripping Springs, TX; and granddaughter, Ellena M. Fawns and her husband, Brian "Bear" Fawns and their son, Luke, of Ft. Collins, CO. She has one surviving sister, Nellie Plemmons of Charlotte, NC and numerous nieces and nephews all over the country. She is also survived by special friend and companion Jennie Walker Brunner and husband Jim. Carrie's gentle, loving spirit will live on in the hearts of those who knew her. She delighted in life, loving to be out in nature, even if it was only a car trip to the doctor's office. Even when ill or in pain, she often remarked how beautiful the blue of the sky was, or how gorgeous the flowers and trees. She relished especially watching children. She felt so blessed to hug, or hold each of her great grandchildren. When Sarah was born, and was only three days old, she was surprised and delighted in the fact that her grand daughter-in-law let her hold such a precious little one. She loved each of her seven great grandchildren in special ways, having a unique sense of each one of them. There was such joy on her part to be accepted and loved. Their hugs meant so much, and she would remark, "Did you see how they ran right to me and hugged me?!" Special thoughts of these children helped her when she was in pain, as she envisioned herself sitting in a meadow of wildflowers and could see them all running to her with Luke leading them, to surround her with love and hugs. Carrie and Jim met in North Carolina where they were both born and grew up. Carrie started her career as a teacher there. She was proud to tell you that she went to Nashville Normal College. She followed Jim wherever he went to serve various churches and she would find another place to teach in each city. She taught in one-room schools for many years, until finally at 50 she completed her education with her bachelor's degree from Grand Canyon College. She taught school for more than 40 years. She and Jim had made their home in Tempe, AZ for over 30 years while Jim served churches in the area, and had his own career as a teacher. She came briefly to Austin, TX with Jim, as he came here to serve Pecan Springs Christian Church as an interim pastor. They returned to Tempe, and later moved to be near their son in Clovis, CA. Following Jim's death, she returned to Austin as a permanent resident in 2002, first living with her daughter and son-in-law and then making her residence in her special apartment at Brighton Gardens. Her joys included watching the crepe myrtles dance in the wind out her window, listening to Johnny Ray Watson ("The Big Guy") at Riverbend Church, and watching the Texas Longhorns. She loved celebrating their winning National Championships in Baseball and Football. The family thanks all the caregivers who have been part of Carrie's life. It would be impossible to name everyone, but special thanks to Patty, Curtis and Keith, and the rest of you know who you are. Special thanks also to the doctor's and nurses at St. David's NAMC, especially Dr. Paul Stansberry. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 19th at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home in Austin. Services are pending in Phoenix, Arizona. Obituary and guestbook on line at wcfish.com