James Oliver Keener

July 4, 1932 - October 27, 2021

James Oliver Keener July 4, 1932 – October 27, 2021 James Oliver Keener, age 89 of Gallant passed away Wednesday, October 27, 2021 at TLC Nursing Home in Oneonta. His funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Monday, November 1, 2021 at Etowah Memorial Chapel. Burial will follow at Pleasant Valley FCM Church in Gallant. Rev. Freddy Keener will officiate the service. Pallbearers will be Wesley Speegle, Adam Speegle, Phillip Mulkey, Tyler Gillis, Josh Gillis and William Keener. The family will receive friends from 12:30 until 2 before the service. The family has respectfully requested everyone please wear a mask. In lieu of flowers; the family has requested donations to St. Judes Hospital. He is survived by his wife; Ruby Doris Keener, sons; Neal Keener, Grahl Keener (Angie), Walter Keener (Katie) and Steven Kelly Moore (Glenda), daughter; LaVonda Payne (Tom), step-sons; Jeff Gillis (Tracie) and Carl Gillis (Lynn), step-daughter; Lessie Putman (Donald), many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents; Robert and Clara Keener, brothers; Willard, Lewis and Wallace, step-sons; Charles (Sheila) Gillis and Tony Moore. James was born in Greasy Cove, Al. July 4, 1932 and graduated from Ashville High School in 1950. He served our country in The U. S. Navy from 1950 – 1954. He graduated from Jacksonville State University in 1958. He began his teaching career at Ragland High School as both a teacher and a bus driver. Then he taught and served as assistant principal at Gadsden High School from 1965 – 1973. Lastly, he served as principal at Ashville Middle School from 1973 – 1987. Many fondly remember him when he played Banjo evenings at Shakey’s Pizza Parlor in Roebuck, Al. He was a very talented self-taught musician who played many stringed instruments. He was in several bluegrass gospel groups writing several gospel songs during that time. He enjoyed working in his garden. He was a very special man that never met a stranger. Most important he loved his Savior, Jesus Christ and now rejoices with him in Heaven. Special thanks to Southern Care Hospice and the nurses and staff at TLC Nursing Home in Oneonta. Etowah Memorial Chapel Directing