Frances Wade Keene

Frances was the oldest of five children born to Ruby Carol Cobb and John Forest Wade, Sr. She was born and raised in Tampa, Florida. In 1943, she moved with her family to Jacksonville, Florida when her father was transferred by his employer, Atlantic Coastline. At age 18, Frances began working as a secretary and was later employed by an insurance company and an attorney.

Through mutual friends, she met William B. Keene, Jr. and they were married in Avondale Methodist Church on August 18, 1951. Shortly thereafter, they moved to Hialeah, Florida, where Bill owned and trained his prize racehorse, Guy Jr. He experienced the height of his racing career by winning the Cuba Florida International in Havana, Cuba. Upon their return to Jacksonville, they enjoyed life-long friendships that they made through The Faithful Friends Sunday School class. As Bill worked as a mechanical engineer for JEA, Frances was a devoted, full-time mother to her daughter, Karen and son, William. She also loved sewing, dancing, reading, and traveling. After raising their children, Frances returned to work for the school board as a secretary for the dean at Ed White High School. After they retired, they loved travelling throughout the United States and Canada in their Airstream trailer. Having a love for horse racing, they were also able to attend the Kentucky Derby, which was a cherished memory for them.

Frances is survived by her loving children Karen McEnany (Thomas), and William B. Keene, III, (Proxida Luna), three grandchildren, Ryan McEnany (Elizabeth), T.J. McEnany, (Vanessa), and Lauren Starkey-Keene (Katlin), along with five great grandchildren, Finn, Ava, Grace, Emily, and Rebecca McEnany. Frances is also survived by her brother, John Wade, Jr. and her sister, Linda Wade Henry.

She is predeceased by her sisters, Jane Bourgeois and Lucille Skaff.

A celebration of Frances' life will be held at Hardage-Giddens Riverside Memorial, 7242 Normandy Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32205, on Wednesday, March 19th. Family visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. and the service will be at 12:00 p.m.