from The News-Leader, Springfield, Washington County, Kentucky

Thursday, May 17, 1906

Mrs. Susan Keene Dead

Mrs. Susan M. Keene, one of the oldest and most respected ladies of the county, died at her home three miles north of Springfield on last Thursday, May 10, after an illness of only a few hours of an attack of acute indigestion.

The deceased was the widow of Mr. Richard Keene, a prominent farmer of the county, who died in 1874.  Her maiden name was Susan Moran, and she was the daughter of William Moran, a pioneer citizen who came from Loudoun County, Virginia, to this county in the early days of the county’s settlement.  Mrs. Keene was a woman of many lovable characteristics.  Kind, charitable, motherly, she was never happier than when extending the hospitality of her beautiful home to friends.  She was a devoted member of the Pleasant Grove Presbyterian Church, and had accomplished a worthy work in life – that of rearing a family of sons and daughters to be good and useful men and women.  The loss of her Godly influence and presence will be felt, not only in her own family, but in the entire community, and her memory will be cherished for years to come.

Mrs. Keene was the mother of eight sons and daughters, seven of whom are still living and residents of this county.  One son, Charles, died in 1896 and the remaining ones are:  Messrs. Frank, Milton, Henry and Bruce Keene and Misses Mary, Letitia and Mattie Keene.

The funeral took place at the Pleasant Grove Presbyterian Church, and was conducted by the regular pastor, Rev. W. T. Overstreet, assisted by Dr. T. D. Latimer of the Springfield Presbyterian Church.  The many sorrowing friends who followed the last earthly remains of this good woman to their last resting place in the beautiful little cemetery at Pleasant Grove bore a slight testimony of their fondness for her.

Susan L. Keene, May 7, 1824 – May 10, 1906

Richard Keene, July 15, 1809 – August 27, 1874

The Keene family plot at Pleasant Grove Presbyterian Church.  Richard and Susan Keene’s stone is on the left.  Son Charles Keene, who died June 2, 1896, is in the middle.  Sons  Bruce and Henry are on the right.  Daughters Letitia Ann, Susan Mary and Mattie E. Keene are buried at the foot of their brothers.  The stones in front of Richard and Susan’s stone say Mother and Father.  The small stone in the middle has the initials CWK for Charles W. Keene.  Surprisingly only two sons married out of eight children!