Mary Marie Lambert Keener, 93, of Cherokee, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 24, 2013 surrounded by her family. She was born May 10, 1920 in the Tow String community to the late Thomas Raper Lambert and Nancy Elizabeth Younce Lambert. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Wayne Keener; by three sons, Gilbert Smith, Robert Keener, and Clyde Smith; by a grandson, two sisters, and three brothers.
Mary Keener is survived by two daughters, Mary Ruth Hyatt and her husband David of Leicester, and Nancy Forrester and her husband R.L. “Happy” of Highlands; by six sons, Wayne Keener and his wife Linda of Cherokee, Richard Keener and his wife Revina of Cherokee, Johnny Keener and his wife Debbie of Lakeside, CA, Tommy Keener and his wife Karen of Escondido, CA, Troy Keener and his wife Pat of Bryson City, and David Keener and his wife Susie of Cherokee; by eleven grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Keener was a loving mother, grandmother, and friend, she will be greatly missed.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday, June 28 at 2pm in the chapel of Bryson City Funeral Home & Memorial Services, with Revs. Brad Burns and Jimbo Sneed officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Thursday evening from 7-9pm. Burial will be at Birdtown Cemetery. Pallbearers will be her grandsons.
Online condolences can be made to the Keener family at www.brysoncityfuneralhome.com