Beatrice Eileen Keaton

Tucson, AZ — Beatrice Eileen “Lee” Keaton, age 91, passed away peacefully on June 19, 2021, held in love and surrounded by her family. A loving mother, grandmother, wife, aunt, and friend, Lee served throughout her life as a role model of strength, resilience, kindness, love, and compassion.

Born in Etowah County, Alabama on January 24, 1930, Lee was raised on a farm in Sand Valley by her parents Lois Amelia (Naylor) Whisenant and Russell E. Whisenant. The oldest of three children, she enjoyed telling stories about growing up on a farm with her brother Keith and sister Linda, along with the extended Naylor and Whisenant family members. Her family and Kyuka Church were important foundations in her life.

Lee met her husband, Julian Eugene Logan, at a wedding rehearsal during her senior year of high school. She was working at an ice cream shop, and he was in the Air Force, stationed at Maxwell A.F.B. She graduated from Etowah High School in 1948. Lee worked overnights for the Goodyear tire plant and started night classes at the University of Alabama. She and Julian were engaged that summer and married September 9, 1950, in Waco, Texas.

The couple had three children: Julianne, Linda Carolyn, and John Russell. Capt. Logan was a fighter pilot with the 15th Fighter Interceptor Squadron and the family transferred first to Japan and then to Tucson, Arizona. The family remained in Tucson following the death of Capt. Logan in a plane crash in 1956.

In 1959, Lee married Billy Franklin Keaton, a bomber pilot with the 303rd Bomb Wing at Davis Monthan AFB. The couple met at an Officers Club dance. They moved to Wisconsin for Bill to attend dental school and then added daughters Susan and Sandra to their family. They returned to Tucson in 1964 and Dr. Keaton began his dental practice.

While raising a family of five, Lee took courses at the University of Arizona, where she earned her B.A. in Elementary Education with Pi Theta Lambda honors and her M.Ed. in Marriage and Family Counseling. She was self-employed as a private marriage and family counselor at the Adlerian Psychological Institute.

An active volunteer, Lee served as a Member of the Pima County Foster Care Review Board; Member, Pima County Juvenile Court Volunteer Association; Advisor, Rincon Congregational Church Youth Group; Board Member, Soroptomist International of Desert Tucson; and Counselor, Pima County Adult Probation Department. She was a member of Rincon Congregational Church, singing in the choir and serving on committees.

Lee had many talents including being a master gardener — family-famous for tomatoes, fruit trees, vegetables, and roses. Her Southern cooking and baking were legendary, something she took pride in and shared with everyone. Her biscuits and gravy, peach cobbler, green beans, salmon patties, banana bread, and homemade jams were favorites. She was a beautiful dancer, loved art and music, enjoyed trout fishing and spending time at the family cabin, cherished her friends, and was a prolific reader, completing thousands of books. She was a giving neighbor, friend, and compassionate community builder. She cared for foster children and brought them into the folds of her family.

In 2010, Lee lost her beloved husband Bill after 50 years of marriage. She spent the last decade of their lives together providing him with extraordinary care.

She loved and supported her family unconditionally and was so proud of her grandchildren Jason Wyly (Monica), Logan McKenzie (Debra), Regan (McKenzie) Callister (Brandon), Andrew Keaton, Alicia (Ernsky) Parisi (Nick), Steven Ernsky, Ryan Ernsky, Lauren Leander, Keaton Leander (Sandy), and Bryson Leander. She was thrilled to have six great-grandchildren: Joshua and Ryan Wyly; Alder, Winter and Violet McKenzie; and Riley Parisi.

Over her lifetime, Lee endured the loss of two husbands, two daughters, two grandchildren, and two siblings, Keith Whisenant and Linda Louise (Whisenant) Files. Yet she showed others both how to grieve, and how to keep living. In her mid-80s, Lee joined a writing club, acting club, volleyball team, exercises classes, started a singing group, and met her loving companion and sweetheart, Bill Baker.

She is survived by her daughters Susan Ernsky (Doug), Sandra Keaton Leander (Tom), son John Russell Logan, eight grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Lee was a woman of deep faith in God our Father, and Jesus our Savior. She touched others with grace, kindness, respect, compassion, and love, and always had a smile and hug to share. Her motto in life was “Always look for the good in people, and that’s what you’ll find.” Godspeed, Mama. You will be missed.

A Celebration of Life will be held July 3, 11 a.m. at Rincon Congregational Church, 122 N. Craycroft in Tucson. Find the live stream link at https://everloved.com/life-of/beatrice-keaton/. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages a donation to: La Paloma Family Services (La Frontera) or AZ Friends of Foster Children Foundation.