Stacy Lee Keeney, formerly of Jane Lew and Chesapeake, West Virginia, the thirteenth and youngest child of the late Ethel Hudnall Keeney and Harry "Leslie" Keeney, Cabin Creek, West Virginia, was born on February 7, 1939 and died on December 6, 2018, in Raleigh, North Carolina from Alzheimer’s disease.
Stacy was preceded in death by his twelve siblings: sisters, Thelma K. Cantley, Julia K. Seal, Inez K. Brokwell, Roseline K. "Mal" Hall, Fannie "Ruth" K. Sadler, Cynthia "Ann" K. Ream and brothers, Harry Leslie Keeney, Jr.; Adrian Keeney; Keith Keeney; Hewitt Keeney; Jack Keeney; and Cledith "Tookey" Keeney. Stacy's nephew, Paul Dunbar, Dyndee, Michigan, who was like a brother and reared by Stacy’s parents, survives him. Stacy also was extremely close to his late in-laws, June and Leslie Arnold.
In June, 1960, Stacy married his high school sweetheart, the late Lois Arnold Keeney and two children were born of that marriage. His son, Barry Leslie Keeney and wife, Charlotte, of Summerville, South Carolina, and daughter, Marti Laine Keeney, of Raleigh, North Carolina. Also surviving Stacy are three grandsons, Kyle Andrew Keeney; Kevin Lee Keeney; and Connor Jackson Keeney, all of Summerville, South Carolina; Stacy's best friend and significant other, Patricia Anderson of Jane Lew, West Virginia and at least forty-eight nieces and nephews throughout the United States, including close nieces, Pamela Keeney of Alum Creek, Lisa Keeney Cassis of Charleston, West Virginia, and Kristen Glancy, of St. Albans, WV.
Stacy also is survived by close sisters-in-law, Deloris “Patty” Keeney and Barbara G. Arnold of Charleston, West Virginia, and Mary A. Totten (Mike) of Belle, West Virginia; and brother-in-law, Roger W. Arnold of South Charleston, West Virginia. Stacy’s close nephews include Brett Hall, of Georgetown, Kentucky, Mark L. Totten of Charleston, West Virginia, and Patrick Glancy, of Columbus, IN.
Stacy always was the epitome of a dedicated and hard worker, and he took great pride in everything he endeavored. Throughout most of his life, he worked at least two jobs in order to provide for his family. After graduating from East Bank High School, in 1957, where he was an outstanding, all-state football player, he was unable to accept a football scholarship at Duke University and he then relocated to Shelby, Ohio, where he began working for Tappan Stove Company, Mansfield, Ohio, as an appliance welder.
Stacy and Lois literally built a lovely brick home together and in 1975, they later located to Chesapeake, West Virginia, after jobs were eliminated at Tappan. Stacy then began working, as a coal miner, for United States Steel where he was a member of UMWA Union 2236. When the miners went out on strike, Stacy worked vehemently to ensure no families went without food, helping to stock food banks.
However, when the coal mine where he worked later closed, Stacy’s life work culminated as an employee of Kanawha County Schools at Capital High School. When he retired in 2005, he and Pat moved to Jane Lew--where he annually planted a garden and raised beautiful vegetables, fruit, and roses-- which he always shared with others including his mother-in-law, June. Stacy enjoyed camping, gardening, and hunting.
Stacy’s remains were cremated, and the country roads of West Virginia will take him home for a spring celebration of his life. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that donations be made in his memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, Alz.org.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18