Nancy Kennedy Keesee Beavers

Nancy Kennedy Keesee Beavers, age 93, of Bristol, Tenn., and formerly of Atlanta, Ga., passed away on Friday, April 15, 2022, at her home with family at her side. She was born May 3, 1928, (the same birthyear of Shirley Temple and Mickey Mouse) to the late James Roy Keesee and Maxie Mae Kennedy Keesee in Smyth County, Va. Nancy grew up in Smyth County, Southwest Virginia. Around first grade, she suffered a Mastoid infection that required major surgery and weeks in the hospital. This put her back a grade so she was then placed in the same grade as her younger sister and best friend, Jean, whom she called “Booey”. These two had a baby sister, Mary Ellen. Nancy and Mary Ellen would grow up and marry Georgia brothers. Nancy was a graduate of Chilhowie High School and subsequently attended Atlanta Christian College. It was during this time she met her husband, Thomas “Wilburn” Beavers on a blind date. The couple lived in Atlanta most of their adult life where they reared their two daughters, Mary Jean and Jamie. Nancy was an Emeritus Member of the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter #205 in Stone Mountain, Ga.

Nancy worked as a teacher’s aide at a special education school called Milton Avenue, located in Atlanta. Nancy’s daughter, Mary Jeane enjoyed being a student there. Nancy was also a Sunday School teacher at Springdale Christian Church. In her handwritten “My Bye Bye note” Nancy states, “I am of the Christian faith” and her life exemplified that. In 2001, Nancy, Wilburn and Mary Jean moved to Bristol, Tenn. They bought a home across the street from Jamie, her husband Rob and their young daughter, Laura. Nancy was called Nannie by her only grandchild, whom she loved dearly. Nancy also was an avid reader and loved doing word search.

In addition to her parents and husband of 62 years, Nancy was also preceded in death by her two sisters, Jean Peak and husband, Troy, and Mary Ellen Beavers; sister-in-law, Betty Moss and husband, Edward and several unborn grandchildren; and special nephew, Michael Peak.

She is survived by two daughters, Mary Jeane Beavers and Jamie Greeson and husband, Robert, all of the home; granddaughter, Laura Thomas and husband, Tyler, of Bristol, Tenn.; brother-in-law, Don Beavers of Rockford, Tenn.; nieces Bonnie, Carolyn, Donna, Becky, Ronda and nephew Mark, and her special, life-long teacher friend, Marian Tackett.

A private graveside service will be held in St. James Lutheran Church Cemetery, 538 St. James Rd., Chilhowie, Va. 24319, with Frank Branson officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Chilhowie Christian Church Benevolent Fund, c/o Mary Lynne Branson, Chilhowie Christian Church, 172 Apple Valley Rd., Chilhowie, Va. 24354.