Dova J. Keith

Dova Jane Baumgardner Keith was born December 26, 1911 in Cedar County, Missouri. She moved to her heavenly home on October 15, 2007 at the age of 95 years, 9 months and 19 days from the Big Spring Care Center in Humansville, MO, where she had lived for the last two years of her life. Dova was the daughter of James Silas and Emily Anna Phillips Baumgardner. She was married to Jesse Rayburn Keith on September 30, 1933 in Bolivar, Missouri. They had celebrated 66 years together before his passing in 1999. One son, John Vance Keith, came to bless their home. Dova was saved as a young woman and joined Alder Baptist Church where she remained a faithful member until her health prevented her from attending any more. Besides her husband, Dova was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Alice Taylor, two brothers: Cecil Baumgardner and George Baumgardner, and by an infant sister and brother: Reba Mae and Carl Elvil Baumgardner. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Vance and Darlene Keith of Springfield, three granddaughters and their husbands: Valerie and Rodney Stokes of Willard, Vanessa and Lee Beaman of Republic and Venecia and Mike Scheid of Springfield. Also surviving are six great-grandchildren: Vance Stokes, Lacie Stokes, Jeremiah Beaman, Matthew Beaman, Micheal Scheid and Jacob Scheid, two great-great grandsons, Weston and Maverick Beaman, two neices--Carolyn Sue Brown and Bonita Kohlstaedt, two nephews-- Jimmie and Doug Baumgardner, and a host of other relatives and friends. Dova spent most of her working years in California working in the canneries. She was a floorlady for many of the last years before she retired. Her hobby was quilting and she made many beautiful quilts during her later years and those she shared with her family. She loved her vegetable and flower gardens which she continued to maintain up until the last few years. She loved to can and compete for blue ribbons in the local fall festivals. She was an active member of the Rosebud Good Neighbor Club until it was dissolved. She was also an active member of the Humansville Senior Center until she could no longer attend because of ill health. She was a beloved mother and a good wife and was devoted to her family. She will be greatly missed by family and friends. Funeral services will be 2:00 PM Saturday, October 20, 2007 in Alder Missionary Baptist Church. Interment will follow in Alder Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday from 10:30 AM until 12 noon in Murray Funeral Home, Humansville. Memorial donations can be made to the Humansville Senior Center in care of Murray Funeral Home, P O Box 93, Humansville, MO 65674. PDF Printable Version

Dova J. Keith

December 26, 1911 - October 15, 2007