MONTEZUMA —  The Rev. Clarence Wells Keene of Oglethorpe, Georgia, passed away on Sunday, Aug. 14, 2016, at his home.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2016, at Whitewater Baptist Church with the Rev. Hosie Waters, the Rev. Sydney Clay, the Rev. Chris Hall and the Rev. Jerry Sanders officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to funeral services in the church fellowship hall. Graveside service with military honors will be at 2 p.m. at Oak Grove Cemetery in Americus, Georgia.

He was born Sept. 19, 1930, in Soperton, Georgia, to the late Clarence Lafayette Keene and Eudene Wells. He was preceded in death by his brother, Kenneth Keene and his grandson, Jason Bray. The Rev. Keene was in the ministry for 41 years. He retired from Warner Robins Air Force Base. He was also U.S. NavyvVeteran in the Korean War. Over the years the Rev. Keene served Ideal Baptist Church in Ideal, Rock Springs Baptist Church in Dublin, Unity Baptist Church in Ellaville, County Line Baptist Church in Ellaville and Oglethorpe Baptist Church in Oglethorpe.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Mrs. Mabel Smith Keene “Mickey”; sister, Grace Sweat and her husband Jack; son, David Keene and his wife Karen; son, Randy Keene and Kimberly Godfrey; daughter Joy K. Nelson and her husband Wade; daughter, Pam Perry and her husband Stuart. He also leaves behind six grandchildren: Chris Keene and his wife Amber, Melissa Elsberry and her husband Jerry, Natalie Bradley and her husband Edward, Jennifer Timmons, Brittany Albritton and husband Joey, Amanda Perry, Jason Timmons and Candace Taylor. Mr. Keene is survived by 12 great-grandchildren: Greyson Keene, Abel Keene, Eliana Elsberry, Jerry Elsberry, David Elsberry, Reese Bradley, Olivia Grace Bray, Landyn Bray, Emma Lynn Timmons, Brayden Timmons, J.B. Albritton, Hunter Albritton.

 

Flowers will be accepted or memorial donations can be sent to the following: Whitewater Baptist Church, Georgia Baptist Children’s Home, Gentiva Hospice in Warner Robins, Georgia.

Friends and family may view and sign the guestbook at www.watsonmathewsfuneralhome.com.

Watson-Mathews Funeral Home of Montezuma, Ga., is in charge of funeral arrangements.