Alta Joan Keenen Andes

Joan was born in Clarksburg West Virginia April 23rd, 1930 to Ree Martin Groghan and Mary Ruth (Pyle) Groghan. Her given name was “Alta Joan Groghan” and she was affectionately called “Annie” as a child. She was one of six siblings and was in the middle of the pack as the oldest of the last three siblings. She is survived by her youngest sister Barbara Joyner. Joan moved to Beaumont in 1949 and was married to William Anderson Keenen. She and William were divorced in 1969. William Anderson Keenen preceded her in death in 1992. From this union Paula Annette Keenen Skelton and William Ree Keenen were born. Additionally, Joan had one Foster Child, Donald Monroe Dreyer. Donny joined the family when he was attending French high school in 1974. Joan remarried September 29th, of 1976, to Ralph Paul Andes. Ralph preceded her in death on January 6th, 2011.

Professionally Joan was an entrepreneur and a staunch advocate for women in business. She started her working career as private secretary at the state capital in Charleston West Virginia in 1948. After working there until 1949, Joan relocated to Beaumont. She worked in various accounting offices as a typist when she first arrived. Seeing the opportunity afforded by computers, she opened her business as the owner of Machine Accounting and Computing Services in Beaumont. This business operated from 1967 through 1970 after which she started Automated Enterprises Keypunch School. At Automated, she taught young women to keypunch and key-verify so they could get high paying jobs in the local refineries. Joan operated Automated Enterprises from 1962 through 1972. Joan’s business, Automated Enterprises, was the first business in Beaumont with the new IBM 360-20 computer. During this time, she started Applied Data Processing in Beaumont and operated this business from 1970 through 1983 providing data processing, mailing and payroll services to some of the most prominent employers in the Golden Triangle. She never shied away from a challenge and often took on customer projects saying “yes” first, and then figuring out how to get the work done. Joan was the owner of Applied Information Processing from 1983 – 1990 and then closed that business and opened APEX – Bookkeeping and Tax Service and she worked in this endeavor until she retired. Joan was a Who’s Who in the South and Southwest as well as the Data Processing Management Association (DPMA) Local Chapter President during her professional career. She was also a Who’s Who of American Women.

Joan was an active member of the Westgate Church of Christ in Beaumont. She was active in support and encouragement of the youth ministry as well as having a leading role in the Mexico Mission work. She made numerous trips into the heart of Mexico carrying Spanish Language Bibles, typewriters, clothes, and other supplies to missionaries in support of the Lord’s work there. She mapped out her trips in detail to ensure that she visited each of the missionaries about every two years. She invited numerous Westgate members to attend with her and she routinely translated letters from the missionaries into English so they could be presented to the congregation at Westgate. She faced adversity from the Federales at the Border as well as at the inland checkpoints in Mexico. She loved the Mexican people and enjoyed spending time with them in their homes. She was loved and respected by each of the missionaries she visited.

Joan is survived by her children Paula Annette Keenen Skelton (husband Jerry), William Ree Keenen (wife Robin) and Donald Monroe Dreyer (wife Orasa). Additionally, Joan will be missed by her Grandchildren, Jennifer Diane Skelton Sunday (husband Matthew), Adam Winfield Skelton (wife Jenilee), Luke Everette Skelton (wife Jessica), Matthew Sean Skelton (wife Jennifer), Jeremy Matthew Simpson, William Everett Keenen, Reeana Beth Keenen, Stephanie Diane Dreyer Grier (husband Joshua), and Robert Boonchai Dreyer (wife Jacqueline). Joan leaves behind 21 great grandchildren spread between Maine, Vancouver, California and Texas. She is loved and her family looks forward to seeing her again in eternity.

In lieu of flowers, please contribute to Westgate Church of Christ – Mexico Mission Fund

Westgate Church of Christ

6390 Westgate Drive

Beaumont, Texas 77706