Christine Keene

Christine Keene, 80 of Wake Forest, NC and formerly of Cedar Bluff, VA, passed away Sunday August 4 at a WakeMed hospital. Born in 1944, she was the daughter of the late Charles Kilgore and Evelyn Sparks. Her faith in God and her family were the two most important things in her life. She grew up in Richlands, VA and graduated from Richlands High School in 1963. Several years later and facing the prospect of having to raise three children on her own, she courageously went to Southwest Virginia Community College to get her degree. She then went on to be employed by the college in the Business Office and worked there for 26 years before retiring. She also went on to earn her bachelor’s degree from Virginia Intermont College in Bristol, VA. She was a longtime member of First United Methodist Church in Richlands, VA and made sure her children grew up in that church as much as they did in their own home. While a member, she sang in the choir, helped coordinate and run a yearly deli fundraiser for the church, travelled in a performance group that performed plays at other churches throughout the area, and helped deliver meals to those in need. She was also an active member of the church’s Women’s Prayer Circle that she maintained even after moving to North Carolina. After retirement she moved to Raleigh to live with her daughter and her family following surgery. In Raleigh, she found a new church family at Bayleaf Baptist Church and continued attending it virtually throughout the rest of her life. She later moved to Wake Forest to live with her granddaughter and her family. She was preceded in death by her father, Charles Kilgore of Richlands, VA; her loving stepfather, Leck Sparks of Tazewell, VA; her mother Evelyn Kilgore Sparks of Tazewell, VA; her brother, Tom Kilgore of Richlands, VA; and her brother, Chuck Kilgore of Raleigh, NC. She is survived by her three children: her son Greg Keene and wife Mary Krippendorf Keene of Roanoke, VA; her son Scott Keene and wife Jen Frazer Keene of Raleigh, NC; and her daughter Cara Keene Smith and husband Steve Smith of Raleigh, NC; four grandchildren: Faith Smith Taylor and husband Josh Taylor of Wake Forest, NC; Alex Smith of Raleigh, NC; Hudson Vanbenthuysen of Essex Junction, VT; and Bryce Keene of Raleigh, NC; two great-grandchildren: Cameron Taylor of Wake Forest, NC; and Erik Taylor of Wake Forest, NC; niece Jessica Kilgore Stone and husband Greg Stone and their two sons of Youngsville, NC; niece Laura Kilgore Mosteller and husband Jon Mosteller and their daughter and son of Hickory, NC; nephew Nick Kilgore and wife Maryandrea Kilgore and their daughter of Raleigh, NC. A special thank you to her granddaughter, Faith Smith Taylor, and her husband, Josh Taylor, for opening their home to Christine to care for her and love her. As a Registered Nurse, Faith was a powerful advocate and fierce protector of her granny’s healthcare. She made sure that Christine always made it to her doctor appointments and that all of her health needs were seen to. Services will be held at Bright Funeral Home in Wake Forest, NC. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Bayleaf Baptist Church in Raleigh, NC. We love you and miss you Mom, but we know that you have already heard those wonderful words: “Well done, my good and faithful servant” and have entered into the joy of the Lord and your eternal home.

Christine Keene

August 4, 2024