Avon Keen
Age - 86
November 14, 2023
Avon Marie Elswick KeenA Life Well Lived & Loved by ManyOn November 6, 2023, Avon Marie Elswick Keen, 86 of Spotsylvania, VA, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her loved ones. Born in Big Rock, VA, Avon is survived by her loving and caring husband of 67 years, Vernie B. Keen, who was by her side every day until she went to meet her Jesus. She is also survived by her sisters Emogene Taylor, Glenda Hughes (Darrell), brother Danny Elswick (Darlene) and her Mother Mary. Additionally, survived by her are her children, Rebecca Burleson (Scott), David Keen (Cindy) and their children Joe and Dyllon, Rachel Keen and her children Camdyn, Avaclaire and Angela (David) and their children Emma and Sebastian, Leah Taylor (Chad) and their child Noah. She was preceded in death by her beautiful grandson Michael Thomas Burleson, and brothers Hubert, Paul and Roscoe Jr. , her dad Roscoe Sr. , and her mom Goldie Mullins Elswick. Avon was loving, caring, silly, courageous, and passionate about Jesus and her family. The courage it took her to leave her hometown when she finished high school, move to Washington D. C. to begin her career in the government, and raise her baby sister Glenda after their mother had passed away, is remarkable. Of course, Vernie packed up his things shortly after Avon moved to D. C. to follow her; he was not about to let his precious, pretty girl get away. From there, they built a home and life together that they loved. Love and compassion radiated from Avon. Anyone who knew Avon, knew you were always going to get two things when you visited her home, some J&J, Jesus and her famous jelly biscuits. She cared deeply for all those around her. It did not matter who you were, how you got there, or why you were there, when you walked into her home, you were a part of her family. She instilled a strong faith in her children. She was a mother who prayed her children to sleep, showed up for every game or event with her Daily Bread in hand, praying for her children to do their best. When you married one of her children, you were immediately blessed with another mother who loved you as her own. Her children and grandchildren remember growing up having a house full of their friends and neighborhood children. She always cooked and played her cassette tapes with little children singing. Avon would have picnics in the grass and teach bible stories. All the children took her bible school "tests" seriously, because for every right answer you got a piece of candy. She would spend hours playing hide and seek with her grandchildren, and her silly sounds of "hoo-hoo" and "meow" to give a clue as to where she was hiding will always play in their hearts. Anyone who met Avon will never forget her strong faith and her desire for everyone to know the love of Jesus. Avon knew her purpose on Earth was to teach little children about Jesus; she taught Sunday school for almost sixty years until her health no longer allowed her to. She was a pillar of strength having survived breast cancer twice, enduring the loss of her grandson Michael, and losing her memories to dementia. But regardless of her struggles, her faith never once wavered. She remained so precious and sweet, singing hymns and praying until her final breaths. This incredible woman is no longer with us. But the family has strength and comfort in knowing that Avon was ready to go to heaven. Her Savior's loving arms are wrapped around her. She is holding her grandson Michael, and smiling with her brothers, her mom, her dad, and her Jesus. A memorial service will be held at Belmont Baptist Church, 7221 Belmont Road, Mineral VA, on Saturday, November 18, 2023, at 2:00 p. m. The family asks that In lieu of flowers, donations be made to the National Breast Cancer Foundation Inc. (nationalbreastcancer. org)Show more
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