Ella Mace Keener, 90, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 22, 2021, in Naples, Fla. Ella was born in Gassaway, grew up in Fairmont and graduated high school at East Fairmont High School in 1948.
Ella is survived by her five children, nine grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. She has three sons, Rad Keener, of Milwaukee, Wis., Dale Keener, of Pilot Mountain, N.C., and Jay Keener, of Morgantown; and two daughters, Kathi Keener Benson and Sandra Keener Dunko, both of Naples, Fla. Ella is also survived by her two sisters, Barbara Cork, of Martinsburg, and Joann VanGilder, of Fairmont; and brother, James Mace, of Fairmont. She is predeceased by her husband of 67 years, Billy O. Keener and her parents, Spurgie and Gladys Mace.
Ella married Billy Keener on Oct. 24, 1951, and they raised their five children in Morgantown. Ella went back to school in 1966, earned her B.S. in elementary education and became a very good teacher who was loved by all her students. She retired with her husband in 1988. They traveled for six years and can boast they visited every state and province in the continental United States and Canada, and even down into Mexico. They were members of Western Stars Square Dancing Club in Morgantown and attended many national conventions. Later they spent summers in Morgantown and winters in Naples, Fla.
Ella will be remembered for her beautiful smile, her love for family but also her love for the beautiful state of West Virginia. She enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and watching sports, especially the WVU Mountaineers football team. She was an avid fan and attended many of their games to cheer them on.
Ella will be missed by everyone that had the opportunity to know her. A Celebration of Life service will be held at Marilla Park in Morgantown, Aug. 7.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Collier County Honor Flight in Bill Keener’s name at http://www.collierhonorflight.org/.
