Alpha Mae Keeter

Service: 2:45 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, at First Presbyterian Church, Harrison, with burial at Bellefonte Cemetery; Visitation: 1-2:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, at the church, with arrangements by Holt Memorial Chapel.

Alpha Mae Keeter, of Harrison, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 17 (2019) at Hillcrest Home. She was 99 years old. 

Visitation will be from 1 to 2:30 p.m. followed by a funeral service at 2:45 p.m. both on Friday, Sept. 20, at the First Presbyterian Church. The Rev. DC Adams and The Rev. Robert Shaddox will officiate. Burial will be in Bellefonte Cemetery.  Pallbearers are Jerry Pinson, Bob Pinson, Jerry Jones, Jim Frank Dees, Michael Jarrett, Roger Cunningham, Jim Slack and Richard Jarrett. Honorary pallbearers include Dr. Kevin Jackson, Dr. Victor Chu, Amanda Chitsey, staff at Legacy Hospice, staff at Hillcrest Home, her Search Sunday School Class, close family and fellow church members.  

The daughter of James R. and Montie Mae (Ables) Dees was born on Sept. 25, 1919 in Bellefonte. 

Alpha was a long-time member of the First Presbyterian Church serving as a deacon, elder, Sunday school teacher, Moderator of Circle of Love and of Presbyterian Women, and had received Honorary Woman of the Year. She also served as Worthy Matron of the Eastern Star. Alpha also helped start the J.U.G. Club (Just Us Girls). She was an Avon representative for 50-plus years, where she was in the President’s Club and won a trip to Hawaii and a Caribbean cruise.  

She was a loving wife, mother, granny, great-granny, sister, aunt, cousin and friend to so many. Her family and church family were everything to her. Alpha enjoyed get-togethers, reunions, celebrating birthdays and holidays, just visiting, and entertaining. Her home was always open. Alpha was truly one of God’s disciples here on Earth.  

She was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, William Guy Keeter; her parents; one granddaughter, Jillian Grace Witty-Lewis; three brothers, Frank, Meredith and Lowell Dees; and two sisters, Agnes Jones and Thersia Slack Jones. 

Survivors include three daughters, Guyla (James) Elton, Patsy (Danny) Scogins and Debbie (Bill) Witty; three grandchildren, Jeff Elton, Kendra (John) Crosby and Jade Witty; four great-grandchildren, Zach Szpak, Mariah Elton, Jewel Elton and Laith Lewis; two sisters, Charlene Cunningham and Marilyn (Curtis) Jarrett; and many nieces and nephews. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 220 Arbor Drive, Harrison, AR 72601; Hillcrest Home, 1111 Maplewood Road, Harrison, AR 72601; or to Bellefonte Cemetery, c/o Charlene Cunningham, 1121 Eugene Street, Harrison, AR 72601.  

Condolences may be left online at www.holtchapel.com .