Caroline Cole Keen

Caroline Cole Keen, 101, a beloved Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, and dear friend, passed away peacefully surrounded by family in her home to go be with her Lord on Thursday, May 21st, 2026. Born on April 24, 1925 in Grundy, Virginia. Mamaw’s life was a testament to love, laughter, dedication, and most important to her, her cherished family. Mamaw was one of nine children to her parents, Josh and Caroline Cole. She spent her childhood in Whitewood, where she met the love of her life, Claude V. Keen “Papaw.” They later married when he returned from World War II in 1946. Mamaw told the story of how she told Claude she would not marry him unless he came home safe from the war. After he returned, they were happily married until his passing in 2011. Together they started Claude V. Keen Trucking Co. in 1958, while she taught school for twenty years. In 1968, they bought a beautiful home on South Holston Lake where she and Claude continued to grow their family. Mamaw stayed active in the business, as her son Freddie has proudly kept it running for 68 years. Mamaw loved her plants, riding around the lake neighborhood on her golfcart, in her favorite color, blue, and catching up with the neighbor’s latest stories and of course she loved telling all her own! Most of all the unfaltering love that she had for her family, who she always made her main priority to guide, care for, and most of all… spoil! And goodness how she loved spoiling her family! When asked by WCYB during broadcast of he 100th birthday party, “what she contributes to reaching the milestone of turning 100 years old!” Her reply was, “her love and faith in God and she just can’t leave her family who still needs her!” She always though of her family first, who she loved with everything in her. Mamaw is survived by her loving family. Her son Freddie Keen and his wife Debbie Keen, and her daughter Kim Keen. She has four grandchildren, Ryan Keen and wife Crystal Keen (son of Freddie), Lindsey Felty and husband Matt Felty (daughter of Freddie), Trey Keen and wife Angelica Keen (son of Kim), and Joshlyn Vance and husband Ron Vance (daughter of Kim). There are four Great Grandchildren, Shaylyn Keen (daughter of Ryan and Crystal), Kinsley Dillow, Scarlett Vance, and Charleston Vance. (daughters of Joshlyn and Ron Vance). The family would also like to recognize a special family friend, and care giver, Cindy Jones. Also her physician, Amy Almany, who always went above and beyond to make sure Mamaw had the best care possible, and was always there when the family needed. Funeral services for Caroline Cole Keen will be conducted Monday, May 25, 2026 at 1pm at Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands, Virginia with Rev. Troy Lester, Rev. Clyde Wimmer, and Clyde Keen officiating. Interment will follow at Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Virginia. Pallbearers will be: Terry Maxwell, Blake Silcox, Ron Vance, Pete Cole, Ryan Keen, Trey Keen, and Matt Felty. Friends may visit with the family from 12pm until 1pm on Monday prior to the funeral. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands is in charge of arrangements, and those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com

Caroline Cole Keen

April 24, 1925 - May 21, 2026