of Little Rock, AR
June 30, 1942 - June 29, 2016
Miki L. Keene received her angel's wings unexpectedly on June 29, 2016, the day before her birthday. A lovely lady, she was loved and will be greatly missed by her family and her many friends.
Growing up in an Air Force family, she made friends easily in Brazil, North Little Rock, and Austin, Texas. Miki was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma at the U of A, where she met the love of her life, Joe. She enjoyed college life, especially doing the Arkansas Push at the Shamrock. After college, Miki embarked on a career as an Air Force wife and mother making yet another set of lifelong friends. After the Air Force, she moved back to Little Rock. She worked in real estate and in women's apparel. She was a member of the 20th Century Club where she held many offices. She was very proud of her children, Kelly and Mike and grandchildren, Logan, Claire, Luke and Brittany. Though she had chronic and severe pain in her later years, she was always concerned about friends and relatives who were ill.
She was preceded in death by her father, Col. Mac Bailey and mother, Cecil Bailey. She is survived by husband, Joe; daughter, Kelly Wewers (Eric); son, Michael Keene (Christine); grandchildren, Logan, Claire, Luke and Brittany; and by her brother, Mike Bailey (Linda), sister, Marci Fairbanks (Glen) and nephew, Malcolm.
A celebration of Miki's life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 6, 2016 at St. James United Methodist Church,321 Pleasant Valley Drive, Little Rock, Arkansas. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. James UMC or the charity of your choice.
Dear Joe and Family:
My deepest condolences over the loss of dear Miki. I remember what fun we had together in 20th Century Club, especially practicing and performing in the floor show. I saw her by happenstance perhaps during the winter...I will always remember the warmness of her smile and her kind words.
Having lost my spouse and best friend in 2014, I know the pain and loneliness. May it give all of you solace to know others grieve with you.
I am deeply saddened to learn of Miki's passing. I have always
thought of her as a lovely, pretty, warm and smiling presence in
the St. James Choir when I attended choir activities with my husband
Jeff. She was very friendly and welcoming to us when we joined
St. James after our wedding--she was one of the "stars" or "pillars"
in my church memories!!
I so appreciated the love and compassion Miki and Joe
showed my children and I when they attended Jeff's funeral several
years ago.
jI am thinking of all of you and I am praying that you will
feel comforted and sustained by God's loving spirit and the love
felt for Miki and your family by your many friends.
So sad to hear! We (NLRHS Class of '60) all loved Miki! She always had a light about her that will not go out, but will shine down on all who loved her! No more pain where she is now! Bless her family and friends as they grieve!
Dear Joe, Kelly, Mike and family,
Our hearts and prayers are with you as you celebrate Miki's life today. i hope your many happy memories will help bring you peace, She was very special! Sending our love, Carla, Bob and family.
Dear Joe and family,
You are all in my heart and prayers. Miki was such a beautiful person inside and out. Such a light to all who knew her. I will not be able to be with you today, but I am holding you in my heart and praying for God's comfort and peace. You all were her pride and joy. With much love, Lynda Sorrells
My thoughts and prayers are with Joe, Kelly, Mike and all the grandchildren... today and always, as you celebrate the life of sweet Miki. Love and HUGS to you all. Love, Molly 💕💙💔
I am truly sorry for your loss. Miki was so very beautiful inside and out, and her kindness and love for life will always be remembered. Wishing you peace and keeping you close in prayer.
Smitty and I are saddened by your loss of Miki. We pray for your peace as you reflect on the many wonderful memories you have of her. May those memories comfort you as you go through the days ahead.
Such a special lady - I'm glad I got to know her at some Kappa alumnae events. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
How very sad to have such a beautiful light go out. To Joe and family, we grieve your loss and wish you a healing heart.
My deepest sympathy to Joe and the family. Miki was one of the sweetest people I have known. She will be sorely
missed.
Kelly, Eric, Claire, Logan and Luke,
We are so very sorry for the loss of your mom, Kelly. Please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Roch, Diana, Darby, Holly and Kylie
To Joe and family, I am so sad for you in losing such a precious wife and mother. She always had compassion and concern for others in spite of her pain and what she was going thru. She was such a caring person. She will be missed by so many people and in so many ways. She touched many lives and leaves many wonderful memories.
Miki was everything to everyone. She was a wonderful daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and the very best friend. My prayers and hugs to all her family and may God comfort you. I will forever hear her laughter and cherish wonderful memories.
Joe, I am so sorry to read of Miki's sudden death. I remember her fondly from high school. And, of course, there was our time together in Fayetteville when we were all just married. My heart goes out to you and your family.
I was blessed to have known Miki through singing beside her in the St. James Chancel Choir for several years. She was a person who brightened my day simply by her presence there and it was such a gift for m e to have known her through that ministry. She will never be forgotten by those whose lives she touched in such a beautiful way. My sympathies go out to Joe, Kelly, Mike, and the rest of her family and they will be in my thoughts.
A love for so many who knew Miki from our high school days. A person on beauty that was reflected from within. Joe and family our prayers are with you and our hearts share in your loss, but we can praise where she is and know she continues to shine her light on all. God Bless the life of Miki (Bailey) Keene.
Kelly,
So sorry for your loss. My prayers today will be for you and your family.
In peace,
Diane Wolfe
Micki and Joe were our role models when we were kids...and as young adults and even on into our senior years. My sister and I both idolized this wonderful, loving couple. We can't believe Miki is gone, I guess we thought this would last forever. Our hearts our broken and our lives left a bit shaky right now. But we are so much stronger, and so much richer for having been a part, although distant, of this wonderful family. Forever in our hearts, and always with us.
Ron and Julie Merritt
Carol and I were stunned at Miki's passing and she and Joe were such good friends over the years. Our deepest sympathy to Joe and the entire Keene family.
I loved Miki. She was an angel here on earth far before God took her home this week. She was so friendly & kind. I knew her through 20th Century Club. She was beautiful inside & out. I am sad for her family's loss. I also know Kelly; love you girl and I'm thinking I of you and your dear family... Kim Cherry
My heart breaks for you all. Prayers for peace and comfort during this difficult time. Miki will always be a special lady in my heart, her smile was infectious and her kindness amazing. Love and hugs sent.