Vivian Keesee

Vivian Shelton Keesee, 91, of Altavista, passed away peacefully at home with her family by her side Saturday, June 26, 2010. Vivian (?Mama Z?) was a seamstress and homemaker, and was well known for her ?sweet tea.? She will be greatly missed.God saw that you were suffering and a cure was not to be,So He put His arms around youand whispered, Come with me.Through tear filled eyes we watched you sufferand slowly fade away.Although we loved you deeply, we could not make you stay.A golden heart stopped beating, Hard working hands were put to rest.God broke our hearts to prove to us He only takes the best.Born May 27, 1919 to the late Walter C. Shelton and Cora Worley Shelton, she was the wife of the late David Keesee for 60 years. She was a member of Altavista Baptist Tabernacle where she enjoyed going with her sister Catherine.Eight brothers preceded her in death: Boyd, Edwin, Noel, Sidney, Anderson, Wesley, Lincoln and Osby Shelton, a sister Ella Shelton Priddy, a granddaughter Leslie Jo Lanier and son-in-law Larry D. Lanier.A sister, Catherine Shelton Chapman, 2 daughters, 5 grandchildren, 8 great-grand children and three great-great grandchildren survive her.She is survived by Betty K. Lanier and her daughter, Kimberly Lanier Dalton (Mark); Nancy K. Andrews and her husband William (Bill) Andrews and their 4 children, Stacey A. Bowers (Ed), Sherri Andrews (Jetta), Shannon Andrews, William Burke Andrews Jr.(Kym).Great-grandchildren include: Shelley Dolan Hendricks (Scott), Andrew Dolan (Tara), Samantha Dearing (Adam), Corey Andrews, Jordan Keatts, Kaylie Andrews, Lucie Andrews, Nina Andrews. Great-great grandchildren are Jessica Hendricks, Zachary Hendricks, and Avery Dolan born on Mama?s 90th birthday. Also, surviving are numerous nieces and nephews and other family, a great neighbor and friend Jean Taylor. All that knew her loved her.The family will receive family and friends from 7:00-8:30 p.m., Monday, June 28, 2010 at Finch & Finch Funeral and Cremation Service, Altavista and other times at her home, 823 Express Line Dr., Commonwealth Trailer Park, Altavista.A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 29, 2010 at Altavista Memorial Park with Reverend George Knight officiating. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the American Cancer Society, 2316 Atherholt Rd., Lynchburg, VA 24501 or Centra Hospice of the Hills, 3300 Rivermont Ave., Lynchburg, VA 24503.The family would like to thank her granddaughter, Sherri Andrews for her kind heart, unwavering patience, and special care given to Mama Z for the past several months, the hospice nurses, especially Elizabeth Copes. Dr. Francis Carter, for many years, was instrumental in maintaining Mama Z?s health?to her, he spoke the medical gospel?we thank him greatly.

Vivian Keesee

May 27, 1919 - June 26, 2010