Ann Keith

Ann Marie Johnson Keith, 76, passed away Sunday, Sept. 12, 2010.

She was born Feb. 3, 1934, in Newark, N.J., the daughter of the late Harry and Sadie Sabells Gephart Johnson.

Mrs. Keith was a former clerk at King Cut at Mallow Mall.

She retired as a stocker from the former Rose’s Store in Covington and was a former employee of Michel’s Café in Clifton Forge.

Ann loved making crafts and ceramics and gave many things she had made to her family and friends. She loved her children and grandchildren and always had something witty to say to acquaintances.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Kyle Shires Jr., and a sister, Alice Hardy.

Surviving are her husband of 37 years, Wesley Keith of Covington; two daughters, Loretta Shinault and her husband, James of Covington, and Sharon Hovanski and her husband, Joe, of Wilmington, N.C.; three grandchildren, Jaime Bruce of Covington, Christie Alvaro and her husband, Dennis, of North Port, Fla. and Kyle Shires Shires III amd his wife, Crystal, of Roanoke; six great-grandchildren, Kasey Ruble, Kassie Bruce and D.J. Bruce, all of Covington, Catherine Alvaro of North Port, Fla., and Damien Shires and Gabriel Shires of Roanoke; one sister, Lillian Patton of Bethlehem, Pa.; one brother, Harry “Snookie” Johnson Jr. of Bethlehem, Pa., and special friends, Joy May, Debbie Fridley and Judy Moore.

In keeping with Mrs. Keith’s wishes, following the funeral service, her body will be cremated.

The funeral service will be conducted Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the Arritt Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Johnnie Mize officiating. Mrs. Keith’s cremains will be interred at a later date.

Following the funeral service, the family will receive friends at the funeral home. Friends may call any time at the residence of Wesley Keith, 5210 Indian Draft Rd., Covington, or Loretta Shinault, 119 Cline Meadow Rd., Covington.

An online guestbook is available at www.arrittfuneralho-mecom.