Ralph C. Keene, 90 years of age of the Deskins section of Vansant, VA, passed away Thursday, August 9, 2018 at the Bristol Regional Medical Center, Bristol, TN, following an extended illness. Born in Buchanan County, he was the son of the late Stewart and Stella (Elswick) Keene. He was a lifelong resident of Buchanan County and was a member of Ratliff Chapel Baptist Church.

Ralph served in the United States Army during World War II. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and was a salesman.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Leah Rachel Yates Keene; 1-Son: George Kermit Yates and 2-Infant Brothers.

Those left to cherish his memory include 1-Daughter: Pauline Virginia Yates (Mike) Hagy of Vansant, VA; 4-Sons: Harold Preston (Mary Ann) Yates of Bristol, VA, Darrell Whitt (Halsey "Kitti") Yates, Myrtle Beach, SC, Ralph Charles "Chuck" (Susie) Keene Jr. of Vansant, VA, John David (Angie) Keene of Charlotte, NC; 5-Sisters: Katie Smith of Bristol, VA, Rubie Keene of Vansant, VA, Ruthie Hinsey of Orlando, FL, Florene Kattleman of Knoxville, TN, Betty Ann Emerick of Vansant, VA; 1-Brother: Bill (Janice) Keene, Vansant, VA; 2-Sisters-in-Law: Floss Baldwin of Vansant, VA, and Ruth Yates of Roanoke, VA.

Also, survived by several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services for Ralph C. Keene will be conducted Monday, August 13, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. at the Grundy Funeral Home Chapel with Pastors: Mike Rife, Jim Fuller, Dean Powers and Rick Ellis officiating with burial to follow in Mountain Valley Memorial Park, Big Rock, VA.

Friends called at the Grundy Funeral Home Chapel Sunday evening at 6:00 P.M. with services at 7:00 P.M.

Active Pallbearers will be Josh Stewart, Mike Charles, Tony Emerick, Eddie Stiltner, Chris Whited, Michael Yates, Jake Hagy and Jody Yates. Honorary Pallbearers will be Men of Ratliff Chapel Baptist Church.

Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy, VA is honored to serve the family of Ralph C. Keene.