Willene Keith

BAXTER -- Willene McHenry Keith, 96 of Mechanicsburg, PA and formerly of Baxter, TN passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 7, 2021 at Messiah Lifeways in Mechanicsburg, PA, where she has been living to be closer to family. Funeral services were held Saturday, April 17 at 1 p.m. at Baxter Chapel of Hooper-Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home. Interment followed in Curry's Chapel Cemetery in Jackson County. The family received friends from 11:00 a.m. until time of services on Saturday at the funeral home.   She was born May 7, 1924, in Putnam County to the late Garfield and Theo McHenry. She has had a lifelong love for bird watching to the birds that came along through her feeding. She most appreciated “red birds” (cardinals) and humming birds, though she also didn’t mind feeding the others, too, because they were gifts from God. Like the birds that came her way, the people in her life knew her as a welcoming person, quick to listen and to serve others through faithful, generous hospitality. She had a warm laugh and subtle sense of humor that charmed many people over the years. Even to her last day on earth, she was beloved for the care she showed to friends and strangers alike. Ms. Willene, as she was known to many, had fascinating tales of growing up in the great depression, the value of hard work, and saving money. But above all that, Ms. Willene would want you to know that she was loved by Jesus, her late husband Isam, and she loved everyone, too. Her great joy in life was sharing the love of Jesus with others.  Mrs. Keith was an active member of Friendship Church of God where she contributed by writing cards and notes to members and their family and friends. She was primarily a homemaker, caring for her husband and 2 children. In her earlier years before marriage, she served as welder, having worked with Budd Wheel Co. in Detroit, Michigan. Mrs. Keith was active in many community and civic affairs, helping coordinate and cook for events with the Putnam County AARP chapter, the Cookeville Masonic Lodge 266 F&AM, and the Scottish Rites Bodies Valley of Nashville. She enjoyed dancing on Saturday evenings at the local VFW hall in Cookeville, watching the red birds, and calling or visiting with friends to make sure they knew they are loved.   Her family includes her late husband, Isam Shelvie Keith of Baxter (whom she married June 15, 1946, in Detroit); a son and daughter-in-law, Denis and Valerie Keith of Dillsburg, PA; a daughter and son-in-law, Marilyn and Larry McRoberts of Warren, MI; three grandchildren, Heather Anne Pike and husband Steve of Rochester, NY, Ryan Keith and wife Katie of Mechanicsburg, PA, and Heidi Joy McCarran and her husband Matt of Carver, MA; eight great-grandchildren, Hannah & Noah McCarran, Nicholas, Brynn, and Griffin Pike, Avery, Lia, and Camden Keith; and a host of nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings; Roe McHenry, J.T. McHenry, Clennie Gibson, Ruby Brown, and Lura McHenry. Pall Bearers will be Willie, Michael, Lloyd & Dean Keith, Matt McCarran, and Steve Pike. Her son, the Rev. Denis Keith and grandson, Pastor Ryan Keith will officiate the services. Due to COVID-19, everyone was encouraged to please wear a mask and practice social distancing. Baxter Chapel of Hooper-Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements (931)858-2134. You may share your thoughts and condolences at hhhfunerals.com