Emeline Elmore Keith

Emeline Elmore Keith went to be with her Lord and Savior on the morning of August 31, 2017.

Emeline was born to Earle Wiley Elmore and Emily Campbell Elmore in Suffolk, Virginia on May 2, 1938. She graduated from St. Mary’s College in 1958 and the University of North Carolina in 1960 with a BA in Education.  While student teaching in Wilmington, she met the love of her life H.L. and married him in December of the same year.  She and H.L. had a remarkable, loving and fulfilling 56 years together.  Before their first son Lon was born, Emeline taught in the New Hanover School system.  After the birth of their second son Brandon, she became a stay at home mother and a very active community volunteer.  She helped form the Oleander Garden Club in 1963 and devoted much time and energy to that organization for over 50 years.  She was an active member of the Junior League of Wilmington. She became a volunteer at Cape Fear Academy where she also served as a member of the Board of Directors and the first woman Chairman of the Board. Emeline and two friends initiated the establishment of what became the St. John’s Museum Art Shop. Her next venture in life was to become a residential real estate broker. Her first 5 years were as an on-site broker at Landfall and then with Intracoastal Realty where she sold residential real estate for 20 years. Many of her clients became lifelong friends. Emeline adored her family times together at the beach, Thanksgiving at Canetuck Landing Hunting Camp and visiting her family in Annapolis, Maryland and Suffolk, Virginia.   H.L. and Emeline sailed in the British Virgin Islands for 10 years.  They adored those special times together.

She was predeceased by her husband, H.L. Keith, Jr. DDS. She is survived by her two sons, Harrison Leonidas Keith, lll DDS and wife, Sandi  Mitchell Keith of Wilmington, NC; Brandon Elmore Keith and his wife Cathy Smith Keith of Annapolis, Maryland and their children, her cherished grandchildren, Samantha Bartlett Keith and William Benjamin Keith.  She leaves her beloved sister Rebecca Elmore Clement and her husband Joseph Mason Clement of New Bern, NC; their daughters Emily Clement (Burton) Stewart of Raleigh, NC and Hunter Clement (Bill) Duggan of Suffolk, VA.  She is also survived by her sister-in-law Mary Ann Keith Massey and husband Knox of Atlanta, Georgia; their children, Charles Knox (Jamie) Massey III of Atlanta, GA, Allene Elizabeth Massey of Isle of Hope, GA and Louise Coats Massey of Highlands, NC; and sister-in-law Allene Keith Wright and husband Laurens of Wilmington, NC as well as numerous great nieces, nephews, cousins & adored friends.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, September 9th at 11:00 am in the St. Francis Garden of St. James Episcopal Church followed by a reception in the Great Hall of St. James Parish.  Memorial donations in Emeline’s name may be made Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401 or to St. Anne’s Guild at St. James Church, 25 South 3rd St., Wilmington, NC 28401.