Jacqueline Keel Workman

Jacqui is survived by her husband Gary Dennis Workman (Denny) of 62 years, her four children, Denise Driscoll (Tom), Bryan Workman (Donna), Ken Workman (Lisa) and Michelle Donley (Trent). She was extremely devoted to her nine grandchildren, Jeremiah Driscoll (Kara), Hannah Driscoll, Celeste Workman, Justin Workman, Dylan Workman, Payton Donley Griner (Wesley), Sam Donley, Jacob Donley, and the late Savannah Donley.

Jacqui was the daughter of the late Robert Hamby Keel and Grace Nilsson Keel and was born April 10, 1941 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She is survived by her older sister, Betty Keel Solis (the late Johnny Solis) and younger brother Bobby Keel (Becky). The family resided in Argentina until 1954 when they relocated to Amarillo, Texas. Jacqui’s siblings remain in Amarillo.

Jacqui attended Amarillo High School, class of 1959. She met the man she would devote her life to in 1957 and they married June 26, 1959. After Denny graduated college, they moved with their two small children to Idaho Falls, Idaho where they had two more children to complete their family. Following a short stint in Pennsylvania, they finally settled in Aiken, South Carolina in 1972. She always loved flowers, especially roses, and Denny created a beautiful rose garden for her in the yard of the home they lovingly and tirelessly created, in which they still reside 49 years later. He always loved to dote on her and she always loved to let him.

Having four kids did not slow Jacqui down. In their early years together, Jacqui worked to help put Denny through college and then spent the next seven years growing their family. In 1976 she decided to begin her college career and in 1979 graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. In 1980 she began her 24 year career at Aiken Electric Cooperative where she eventually became the Vice President of Human Resources. She loved her job immensely and the people she worked with became like family to her. She dressed to the nines for work every day and was the office fashionista. Ironically, she loved the days when the big storms knocked out the power because then she could play hostess to the linemen from the co-ops in all the surrounding areas.

She was a member of the Aiken Rotary Club, 1998-2008, and served as the President of Rotary Club of Aiken Sunrise, 2005-2006. She was a Paul Harris Fellow and Sustaining Member.

Some of her favorite activities were competing on a bowling team which was a passion she and Denny developed while still living in Idaho and carried it through to their early years in Aiken, SC. They began taking dance lessons while living in Pennsylvania and often spent Friday evenings in Augusta, GA at the Elks Club for dance parties. They showed off their dancing skills at each of their children’s weddings and just last year at the wedding of one of their grandchildren, which was thankfully captured on video. Jacqui and Denny spent their retirement years traveling by ship and enjoyed cruises to Alaska, Europe, South America as well as several other destinations. They could often be found enjoying time on Hilton Head Island, in their Charleston condo and in their home on Lake Murray in Chapin, SC. Her favorite vacations were the ones spent at Pawley’s Island, SC where all 19 members of her family filled the house. Days were spent on the beach and evenings were spent taking turns cooking meals and sitting around the table playing games until late into the night.

Anyone that knew Jacqui knew that fitness was important to her. This was a fact until the very end which was proven when she purchased a Peloton bike for her 80th birthday and quickly received a Peloton Century Club t-shirt for completing 100 rides/workouts. She was very proud of this. She joined several health clubs around Aiken and at times was a member of two to three different clubs at the same time. When her kids would ask why she had multiple memberships, it was always about the people. She had morning gym friends and evening gym friends. She once trained for and received certification to be a Zumba instructor just for fun. She often challenged her children and grandchildren to plank competitions around the Christmas tree and you better believe she won every time. She was the strongest woman her family has ever known and instilled that strength into each of them.

Jacqui loved her family with her whole heart. All you had to do was say “mom would you be able to….” And she was already packing her bags to travel to wherever she needed to be to babysit a grandchild (or four). She did not like to miss any activity related to her children and grandchildren and spent many years attending their sporting events, dance recitals, award ceremonies, Special Olympic Events and high school and college graduations. She was a busy lady and loved every minute of it.

A celebration of life service will be held on Monday, December 6, at St John’s United Methodist Church, 104 Newberry Street, Aiken, SC at 2 pm ET.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to BEATS, INC

This organization provides therapeutic horseback riding to the special needs population and is a place where two of her grandchildren have received years of loving care.

http://www.beats-inc.org

1704 Winston Court, Woodstock, GA 30189

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.woodstockfuneralhome.com for the Workman family.