Belinda Faye Keeling

November 1, 1945 — November 6, 2016

"An excellent wife who can find?…Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.”—Proverbs 31:10-31

Belinda Faye Vickery Keeling, 71, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, went home to be with her Lord on the morning of Sunday, November 6.

She was born on November 1, 1945 at the military hospital at the Naval Station in Orange, Texas. Her mother, Lora Elizabeth Wofford Vickery, and her father, Dennis Avender Vickery, were both native Texans. Belinda was the youngest of six children.

Belinda attended high school at Victoria High School in Victoria, Texas, and graduated from Goliad High School in Goliad, Texas, where she was voted Fire Department Queen in the County Queens Contest. She graduated in May. During her career, Belinda worked primarily as a corporate secretary and executive assistant for Tracor and Motorola in Austin, Texas, and retired after serving as Personnel Director for W.L. Gore & Associates in Manor, Texas.

Belinda learned to sew while she was in grade school, taught by her mother, and she was an outstanding seamstress. She was an active and enthusiastic member of First Baptist Church of Kingsland, Texas, serving in the church choir, her Sunday School class, and involved in church fellowship and hospitality. She was formerly a member at River Road Baptist Church in Manor, Texas.

Belinda married Wendell Ray Keeling at the home of Sonny and Pat Taylor near Webberville, Texas on May 17, 1986. They were married 30 years and enjoyed a combined family of seven children, sons-in-law and daughters-in-law, fourteen grandchildren and three great grandsons.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Lora Wofford Vickery, her father, Dennis Avender Vickery, and her brother, Dennis Wofford Vickery.

Belinda is survived by her husband, Wendell Keeling, and her children: Mark Taylor of College Station, Texas, and his wife, Beverly; Gregg Taylor of Bastrop, Texas; Don Taylor of Manor, Texas, and his wife, Jenni; Shanon Markham of Pflugerville, Texas, and her husband, Deryal; Sharon Taylor of Pflugerville, Texas. She is also survived by stepson, Darren Keeling of Kingsland, Texas, and stepdaughter, Jana Mitchell, of Victoria, Texas, and her husband, Scott. She is also survived by fifteen grandchildren, Brandon Mitchell and his wife, Lorilee; Nate Taylor and his wife, Caycee; Darrion Mitchell; Sydney Taylor; Nick Zanetti; Cully Taylor; Stephanie Taylor; Preston Mitchell; Coen Taylor; Kenzie Lockhart; Ike Taylor; Macy Taylor; Ian Lockhart; Hunter Mitchell; and Logan Keeling. She is also survived by her great grandsons, Ethan Mitchell, Mason Mitchell, and Wyatt Taylor. Belinda is also survived by her sisters, Gayle Baecker of Victoria, Texas and her husband, Harold; Pat Balfanz of Victoria, Texas and her husband, Eddie; Ellen Kay Teague of Victoria, Texas; Wanda Byars of Porter, Texas, and her husband, Bob; and numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

She will be remembered as an energetic lady who loved and served her Lord, Jesus Christ, and invested herself unselfishly in her family for the entirety of her life. It is fitting that she passed from this world on the Sunday morning of Daylight Savings time and went peacefully to the land of eternal day to be with her Savior. It is there that she will one day be reunited with her family and friends.

Pallbearers: Mark Taylor, Gregg Taylor, Don Taylor, Darren Keeling, Scott Mitchell, Deryal Markham

Honorary Pallbearers: Brandon Mitchell, Nate Taylor, Darrion Mitchell, Cully Taylor, Preston Mitchell, Coen Taylor, Nick Zanetti, Ike Taylor, Ian Lockhart, Hunter Mitchell, and Logan Keeling