Ennis Hope Keller, 90, of Jackson, Ohio passed away peacefully at her home on January 11, 2022.
Born on July 18, 1931, in Wytheville, Virginia, she is the daughter of the late Rupert and Avis Leedy of Oak Hill, Ohio. Raised and educated in Ohio, Hope earned her bachelor’s degree in Education from Rio Grande College and taught as a kindergarten teacher at Parkview and South Street grade schools in Jackson for 32 years. She also taught Sunday school at Jackson Christian Church, where she was a member. She is well known and remembered by many of her students.
Hope had a passion for the arts and loved music. She was a skilled pianist and organist, playing at various churches in Jackson throughout the years and was choir director at the Jackson Christian Church. She also played the violin and dulcimer, teaching piano and violin lessons after retirement. Hope enjoyed sing was a member of Laura’s Harmonettes and did enjoy planning music programs for community events like Jackson’s Fourth of July celebration. Hope was also a member of the 1948 Jackson Apple Festival Court.
Always searching for her next activity, Hope’s passions extended into painting, gardening, genealogy, crafting and antiques.
Hope was active in her community as a contributing member of the American Cancer Society, the Red Hat Society, the Rio Grande College Bell Tower Committee, Delta Kappa Gamma, and the Garden Club of Jackson. She participated in the planting of seasonal flowers at her alma mater campus and promoted the planting of Buckeye and Paw trees throughout the county.
Above all she loved life by being with family and friends whenever possible and giving support to those in need. She stressed the importance of the church as a necessary part of a good life.
Hope is preceded in death by her parents; her brother Dean Leedy; sister Charlene McKenzie; granddaughter Morgan Keller; and former spouse, Pat Keller.
She is survived by her sons Tony Keller (Becky) of Oak Hill, Virginia, and Scott Keller (former spouse, Sarah) of Westerville, Ohio; grandchildren Rikki Robertson (Josh), Nick Keller (Emily) and Aaron Keller, and five great- grandchildren, Brinlynn, Teague, Morgan, Kenzie, Theo; her sisters, Vivian Bevins and Mary Evans-Clark; and brother Donald Leedy; many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and extended family and friends.
The world has been truly blessed to have had her love and compassion and will mourn the loss of her beautiful and caring soul. She is now with our Lord and savior, Jesus.
Funeral services will be held at the Mayhew-Brown Funeral Home, 135 Broadway Street, Jackson, Ohio, on Saturday, January 22, 2022, at 1 p.m., with Pastor Hannah Niday officiating. Burial will follow at Fairmount Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home for two hours prior to the service from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. The family respectfully requests all attendees wear masks.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Condolences may be sent to the family at: www.mayhew-brownfuneralhome.com
Arrangements are by the Mayhew-Brown Funeral Home.