MARTHA ANN FARMER KEENER, age 92, a resident of Charleston, MO was called to her Lord Friday, February 12, 2021, at the Chateau Girardeau in Cape Girardeau.

She was born October 15, 1928 in Charleston to Charles Franklin and Cordia Sutherland Farmer.  Following her graduation from Charleston High School in 1946, she served as secretary to the Charleston School District Superintendent for several years. While raising her family, she assisted her husband at their pharmacy, Hummel's Drug Store, and later worked in Knight's Catalog Store.  She was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church in Charleston where she faithfully attended services and Bible study groups and was a member of the former Charleston chapter of Eastern Star.  In 2006 she was honored as Charleston's Woman of the Year for her demonstration of unselfish caring, and was recognized for her love of church and community. She was a lover of chocolate!  And she loved to share her famous "Mounds of Fudge" with her family and friends!

Martha's greatest joy in life was her relationships with her countless friends and family and it showed in how she lived out her Christian faith.  She cared deeply about her community  and seldom missed an event.  She loved everyone, and her unselfish love for other people was genuine and infectious!  She truly cared about everyone she knew and she was a constant prayer warrior.  Martha touched many people in many ways during her life and she will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her.

On April 6, 1955 she married Harry Elliott Keener who preceded her in death March 27, 1979.

Surviving are her sons, John L. (Beth Ann) Keener of Columbia, MO and Paul F. (Connie) Keener of Cape Girardeau; one step daughter, Mallory Kay Keener of Madison, WI; five grandchildren, Jennifer (Brian) Chrisco, Thomas (Leslie) Keener, Jeffrey (Morgan) Keener, Lyndsey (Blake) Kidd, and Jacob Keener; five great grandchildren, Reed Keener, Jackson Keener, Huntley Chrisco, Piper Kidd, and Addison Keener; her "sister" Juanita Pate of Charleston; and many nieces, nephews and extended family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one step son, Harry Eliott Keener III; three sisters, Louise Farmer, Lois Hurley, and Dorothy Reed; one brother Charles "Buck" Farmer; one sister in law, Jean Keener; and her special friend and companion, Bill Brown.

Visitation for friends and family will be held on Saturday, March 6, 2021, from 9 to 11 a.m. at the United Methodist Church, 1700 E. Marshall Street, Charleston, MO 63834 .  A memorial service will immediately follow at 11 a.m. at the church.  Rev. J. Robert Webster, pastor, will officiate.  Current masking, distancing, and seating requirements will be observed. A livestream of the memorial service at 11 a.m.  and a post recorded viewing will be available for a limited time on the church website www.charlestonumc.org .

Honorary pallbearers will be Eric Wooden, Mike McIlroy, Bruce Farmer, Chuck Farmer, Jeffrey Keener, Jacob Keener, and Thomas Keener.

Interment will follow in the  IOOF Cemetery at Charleston.

Services are under the direction of McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston.

In lieu of flowers Memorial Contributions may be given to:

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital,  501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN  38105

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United Methodist Church, PO Box 351, Charleston, MO 63834