Shirley Marie Keaton

Shirley Marie Keaton, 89, died Thursday, August 14, 2025, at her home in Dillwyn, VA. Shirley was born February 3, 1936, to Cecil and Zettie Canada, in Maben, WV.

She served faithfully as the Pastor's wife with her husband, Rev. Robert Keaton at several West Virginia churches: Stanaford Missionary Baptist Church in Stanaford, Hollywood Missionary Baptist Church in MacArthur, First Baptist Church of Petersburg, Central Baptist Church of Hinton and Ansted Missionary Baptist Church of Ansted, returning to First Baptist Church of Petersburg before retiring. During his retirement, he served as interim pastor of several area churches. Shirley valued the lasting friendships she made with members of the churches she served.

She was known for her love of gardening and enjoyed taking plants that had been discarded and bringing them back to life.  She proudly received her GED in her late 40's without her family knowing she was doing so. She was also proud of having attended the "Little Log Schoolhouse" on the road from Saulsville to Maben.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Robert, daughter Lenora Bell and her parents and siblings, Romey "Jack" Canada and Connie Snuffer. Shirley fiercely loved her family and is survived by her children, Russell Keaton and wife Susie, Giles Keaton and wife Karen, and Wanda Hoerman and husband Gary. Shirley and Robert were blessed with 9 grandchildren, Daniel and Robert Keaton, Leah Harper, Janice Williams, Kara Wallace, Marion Robinson, Anita Olejnik, Andrew and Amanda Roland: 18 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews building special bonds with many of them.

Visitation will be 12 PM-2 PM on Monday, August 18,2025 followed by the funeral service at 2 PM at the Amos E. Quesenberry Funeral Chapel in Beckley, WV. Interment will be at the Lilly Crews Cemetery in Nimitz, WV, following the service. Services will be conducted by a cherished pastor, Dewey Lowe and her nephew, Dale Birchfield.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Daniel Keaton, Robert Keaton, and Andrew Roland, great-grandson, Trevor Quarles, and nephews Joshua Birchfield and Daniel Keaton.

Private online condolences and other expressions of sympathy may be directed to the family via our guestbook at www.roseandquesenberry.net .

Arrangements are by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, 1901 South Kanawha Street, Beckley, WV.