I. J. Keen passed away Wednesday; father of Seventeen children
Isaac J. Keen was born January 28, 1868. Departed from his life on April 21, 1937.
He was married on September 2, 1894, to Dorcus Brummett. To this union was born three girls and eight boys, all still living except one boy and one girl. The living are: Mrs. Josie Wilson, Benton; Mrs. Julie Whitley, Bauxite; J. E. Keen, Paron; Bill Keen, Des Arc; Henry Keen, Benton; Luther Keen, Benton; George Keen, Paron; Andrew Keen, CCC.
His wife died January 12, 1920, and he was later on October 25, 1923, married to Miss Beulah Goins. To this union was born three boys and three girls. Those yet living are Evadee Keen, I. J. Keen Jr., Alfred Keen, Nanabeth Keen, J. T. Keen. He has one sister living, Mrs. Jim C. Lovel; also 23 grandchildren and one great- grandchild. Funeral services will be conducted by Rev. Elmer Hurst, pastor of Grape Chapel Church of God. Mr. Keen was a constant attendant of this church. He gave the ground for the church and superintended the building of the church and became one of the first trustees. He will be greatly missed by this community and especially by the other attendants of Grape Chapel Church.
Funeral services will be held Thursday afternoon at two p.m. at Grape Chapel Church. Burial at Kentucky.
The first man I ever knew was Mr
Keen. I have known him all my life. He was one of my best and truest friends. I was shocked almost as bad at his passing as I was when my own daddy passed away. The first money I ever borrowed I got it from him. He has always been one of my advisers. He never spoke ill of anyone and I don't believe had an enemy on earth. His closest neighbor was his best friend. (I'm glad I'm one.)
Singing was his chief pastime. I visited his little church lots of times solely because I knew he wanted me to come and help him sing. He was always the first one to greet me with a 'come in old timer.' That little church will never be real to me again.
Mr. Keen's life has been spent lending assistance to others, although he himself died a very poor man. The love of his family, his friends and his church makes him great. May the Lord will that he sleep peacefully - Clinton Lovel. [from the Benton Courier, April 22, 1937, page 2]