Margaret Ann Henderson McKeever

Margaret Ann Henderson McKeever, a classy, graceful, and wonderful woman passed away peacefully in the presence of her family on Thursday, January 29, 2015. She was 72, a native of Birmingham, AL and a resident of River Ridge for the past 20 years. Beloved wife of Pastor Joe McKeever for the past 53 years. Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, James Waller and Inez Shrauger Henderson. She was the sister of Betsy Henderson (deceased), John W. Henderson, and Susan I. Henderson. She is also survived by sons Joe Neil, Jr. (Julie) and John “Marty” (Misha), and daughter Carla, as well as by grandchildren Leah, Jessica, Grant, Abigail, Erin, Darilyn, JoAnne, and Jack. Margaret graduated from West End High School in Birmingham and Mississippi University for Women in Columbus. Over the years, she and her pastor husband led churches in Greenville, Jackson, and Columbus, Mississippi, in Charlotte, North Carolina, and most recently the First Baptist Church of Kenner. Margaret was a social worker who helped to found a shelter for battered women and later was called to head that program. She was a devoted Bible teacher, directed drama teams in the churches, sang in the choir, and even ran a television camera in the First Baptist Church of Charlotte. When Margaret and Pastor Joe teamed to teach the large auditorium Bible class at First Baptist Kenner, someone remarked that while her husband could tell you what the Hebrew text said, Margaret could tell you what it meant on Tuesday. She looked for the practical side of Scriptural truth and invariably found it. She was deeply committed to Jesus Christ, and her prayers were intimate, honest and heartfelt visits with her Savior. Margaret enjoyed reading mystery novels, loved taking her granddaughters to “high tea,” and she delighted in travel. Whether to Mount Rushmore or down Bayou Gauche, she appreciated adventure, seeing God’s creation, and new experiences. Margaret loved her three children and her daughters-in-law, but her eight grandchildren had the supreme place in her heart. Proverbs 31 says, “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.” Visitation at First Baptist Church of Kenner, 1400 Williams Blvd., Kenner on Monday, February 2, 2015 from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. followed by a Memorial Service at 11:00 a.m. Donations preferred in Margaret’s memory to Women at the Well, 4114 Old Gentilly Rd., New Orleans, LA 70126 or First Baptist Church of Kenner, P.O. Box 1357, Kenner, LA 70063. Arrangements by L. A. Muhleisen & Son Funeral Home.

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Margaret Ann Henderson McKeever

June 9, 1942 - January 29, 2015