Bennie Jean Keel

Our dear mother, Bennie Jean Keel, 89, went to be with her heavenly father on July 4, 2025. She was the daughter of the late Earl and Mamie Sherrell born on May 16, 1936 in Melbourne, Arkansas. Bennie, affectionately known to all as “Nanny”. Though many may not have known her given name, her spirit, warmth, and kindness made “Nanny” a name of comfort and love throughout her community- even to those who had only just met her. Nanny had a heart that seemed far too big for this world. She had a rare gift for making people feel seen, heard, and cared for, often through a warm meal or soft word. Feeding others was her favorite way to show love, and no child ever went hungry in her presence. Her last words were “get some lunch meat and cheese and feed them little kids”. Her kitchen was a haven of comfort, and her door was always open. Whether you knew her for a lifetime or for five minutes, she made you feel like family. Nanny had a special love for the Fourth of July- not just for the fireworks and celebration, but for the way it brought people together. She enjoyed having her family together for hot dogs, hamburgers, and homemade ice cream. Compassion guided everything she did. She gave without question, listened without judgement, and loved without limits. To know Nanny was to be cared for in a way that stays with you forever. Her greatest joy in life was her children and grandchildren. There was nothing in this world that she wouldn’t do for them. Though she will be missed fiercely, her legacy lives on in the meals we share, the kindness that we show, and the way we care for each other- just like Nanny taught us. She was everybody’s Nanny and she always will be. Left to cherish her memory are her children, Debbie (Garold) Bennett, Janet (Willie) Pearrow, Ted Allen (Francis), Becky (Louis) Bonner, and Sheila Butler, her grandchildren, Slade Myers (Crystal), Heath Hannah (Joyce), David South (Rachel), Damon Pearrow (Erin) Anthony Allen (Lacy), Travis Allen, Joshua Butler, Tasha Jones, Ashley Campbell (Robert), Jessica Evans, Brooklyn Bonner, Tiera Dawson (Timothy), Darrel Vance (Rubie), Hailey Schatz (Tim), Jeremy Keel, Makenzie Keel. She had 34 great grandchildren and 12 great great grandchildren. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James Allen Jr., her husband, Eldridge Keel, her grandson, Hud Myers, her daughter, Barbara Evans, her siblings, Carl Sherrell, Ray Sherrell, Wayne Sherrell, Curtis Sherrell, Zela Dilland, and baby brother, Hayden Sherrell. Funeral services will be conducted on Thursday, July 10, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Powell Funeral Home in Bald Knob, Arkansas with Brother Barry Crain officiating. Visitation will be held prior to services beginning at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery in Judsonia, Arkansas. Arrangements are entrusted to Powell Funeral Home Bald Knob – Judsonia.

Bennie Jean Keel

May 16, 1936 - July 4, 2025