Nellie Ruth Keen

Mrs. Nellie Ruth (Ricks) Keen, age 84, was called home to Heaven on September 2nd, 2023. 

Nellie Ruth was born on November 16, 1938, in Alma, GA to Thelma and Bernice Ricks. She moved to Jacksonville as a young girl and graduated from Andrew Jackson High School in 1956. On May 10, 1957, she married Raymond William Keen, Sr., to whom she was introduced by the pastor at Berea Baptist church, Emmanuel Morris Sr. They enjoyed 44 years of marriage together and along the way were blessed to welcome three children: Cindy Ruth, Raymond William Jr and Sandra Marie. Later in life, she worked at Donuts Etc. where she prepared fresh doughnuts each morning and her warm spirit endeared her to many regular customers.

Nellie Ruth and her family attended Calvary Baptist Church where she proudly sang in the choir, taught Sunday school classes, prepared food for many “dinner on the grounds” meals and helped in multiple other ways with the day-to-day church functions. 

When she wasn’t helping out at the church, Nellie Ruth passionately cheered for her beloved Atlanta Braves, Georgia Bulldogs and Florida State Seminoles.  She was also known to enjoy a good game of Bingo.

Nellie Ruth was pre-deceased by her parents, Thelma and Bernice Ricks; her husband, Raymond William Keen, Sr.; her brother, Charles Ricks; her son-in-law, Jay Dixon; and her cherished grandson Donny Foster. She is survived by her three children: Cindy Dixon, Raymond “Billy” Jr. (Cindy) Keen and Sandra (Dave) Pearson as well as her five grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren plus many other family and friends.

Nellie Ruth’s family will receive friends on Thursday, September 7th at 10am at Warren Funeral Services in Baldwin, FL. The funeral service will begin at 11am and will be followed by a graveside service at Evergreen Cemetery in Jacksonville, FL. Pastor Dan Eidson will officiate the ceremony. Warren Funeral Services of Baldwin is honored to serve the Keen family.

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