Mildred Grace Russell McKeehan, 94, of Elizabethton, passed away Monday, May 2, 2011, at her residence. A native of Carter County, she was a daughter of the late Charles S. and Maude Ricker Russell. Mrs. McKeehan was a homemaker. She attended Harvest Baptist Church in Elizabethton, Tenn., and Bible Way Church in Bristol, Va. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two husbands, Ontie K. Humphreys and Ronnie McKeehan; two sons, Paul Humphreys and Charles Humphreys; two daughters, Emma Jean Cole and Brenda Stines; two brothers, Robert Russell and Charles Russell Jr.; and a sister, Emma Carver.
Survivors include three daughters and two sons-in-law, Frances and Jerry Buck, Johnson City, Pauline Smith and Virginia and Ernest Nidiffer, all of Elizabethton; two sons and daughters-in-law, Jack and Geraldine Humphreys and Mike and Shirley Carver, all of Johnson City; 33 grandchildren; 54 great-grandchildren; 21 great-great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and her special friends, Dorothy Birchfield, Steve and Lisa and JoAnn Vines.
The funeral service for Mrs. McKeehan will be conducted at 8 p.m. Friday, May 6, at Memorial Funeral Chapel with Pastor Frank Osborne officiating. Music will be provided by Paula and Johnny Humphreys and Ramona Potter. Graveside services and interment will be at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 7, at Happy Valley Memorial Park. Active pallbearers, who are requested to assemble at the funeral home at 2:20 p.m. Saturday, will be David Nidiffer, Jim Nidiffer, Anthony Buck, Andy Dugger, Paul Humphreys Jr. and Dustin Arrington. The family would like to express a special “Thank You†to her granddaughters and Amedisys Hospice for all their excellent care. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Family and friends will assemble at the funeral home at 2:20 p.m. Saturday to go to the cemetery. Condolences to the McKeehan family may be e-mailed to mfc@chartertn.net. Memorial Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.