Dorothy Bernece (McGhee) Keele, 97, of Mt. Vernon, passed away at 4:17 p.m., Friday, May 3, 2024.
She was born September 8, 1926, in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of Oscar and Tina (Hayes) McGhee. On August 10, 1946, she married Inard Keele, and he preceded her in death on March 2, 2003.
She was a member of Old Union Baptist Church in Mt. Vernon and also enjoyed attending East Salem Baptist Church, in rural Mt. Vernon. Over the years, Dorothy was a housewife and stay-at-home mom. She enjoyed sewing for her girls, and also for other people. She raised and cared for a large garden, and preserved what she grew. Her home was open to her girl’s friends as they got older and enjoyed the fun. In later years, she discovered weaving. She made woven rugs, bath mats, placemats, table runners, and mug rugs, for clients, as well as hotels.
She is survived by two daughters, Elizabeth Beal and husband David of rural Centralia, and Patricia (Tish) Taylor and husband Ernie of Mt. Vernon; six grandchildren, Jonathan Beal and wife Kerri, Joshua Beal, Esther Taylor and husband Jim, and Sarah Newbury, Tia Dunaway and husband Jeff, and Stacy Kniffen and husband Michael; 14 great-grandchildren, Megan, Lucas, Nathanial, Sandy, Josie, Tom, Ashley, Lilian, Evan, Landon, Garret, Hadley, Seth, and Ezra; one great-great-granddaughter, Angel; and sister-in-law, JoAnn McGhee.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; parents-in-law, Arthur and Lily Keele; brothers, Jim (Wilma), Gene (Opal), and Earl McGhee; an infant sister; a brother-in-law, Bob Mellott; sister-in-law, Betty Mellott; and a son-in-law, Charles (Chuck) Wilson.
Funeral services for Mrs. Keele will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, May 10, 2024, at Osborn Funeral Home in Dix, with Randy Hayes officiating. Burial will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, May 9, 2024, at the funeral home. Memorial gifts may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation and will be accepted at the service, or by mail to the Osborn Funeral Home, P.O. Box 130, Dix, Illinois 62830. Online condolences may be made at www.osbornfuneral.com, or on the Osborn Funeral Home Facebook page.
