Shirley Jeanne Keith

Shirley Sneed Keith was born on April 24, 1940, in Marks, Mississippi to Jeanne and Hays Sneed. She passed away peacefully on June 5, 2026 in Farmington, New Mexico. Shirley grew up in Jackson, Mississippi where she developed lifelong friends, played sports, attended Woodland Hills Baptist Church, and graduated from Murrah High School in 1958. As a young teenager, she attended a Billy Graham Crusade, and there accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. Shirley attended the University of Mississippi where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and received her bachelor's degree in elementary education. She loved Ole Miss and was a lifelong, avid Rebel fan!

After graduating from Ole Miss, Shirley moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she taught second grade and met a handsome UNM pharmacy student, Don Keith. They began dating, fell in love, and married on July 31, 1965. Don and Shirley moved to Farmington where Don began his pharmacy career and Shirley taught second grade at McKinley Elementary School. A couple of years later, they began to grow their family and had three children; Jeanne Elizabeth, Donnie, and Kelley. Shirley spent the next 25 years devoting her time to her family. She was the Homeroom Mom for all three children during their elementary school years, attended their school plays, choir concerts, dance recitals, church activities, and was her children's loudest cheerleader at their many sporting events....Donnie always said he could hear Mom cheering for him even with his football helmet on! Her faith was also very important to her. She grew in her walk with the Lord as a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church. Later in life, Don and Shirley loved to travel and spend time with their children and grandchildren.
Shirley is preceded in death by her loving husband, Don; her parents; and her brother, Richard Sneed. She is survived by her children Jeanne Elizabeth Ramirez (Rigo), Donald Howard Keith Jr. (Mary), and Kelley Keith Broten; grandchildren Isabella, Sophia, John Drake, Adam, Makayla, Eli, Katie, and Mason; sisters in law Carolyn Macarenas (Lloyd) and Charlene Kipp (Tim), and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be at 10:00a.m on Saturday, July 25, 2026 at Emmanuel Baptist Church, followed by a Memorial Service at 11:00a.m.
In memory of Shirley, donations may be made to Emmanuel Baptist Church, Child Haven of Farmington, or a charity of your choice.