Mary Alma Keele

Mary Alma Keele, 97, a lifelong resident of the Purdon community and known to her family as Aunt Cat, died on January 15, 2023, after a brief illness at Navarro Regional Hospital. She was born on May 26, 1925, in Purdon, Texas to Sammie Cleveland and Eva Lou Ward. She was preceded in death by her parents; Odis Wayne Bullock, her first husband, and Jessie Keele, her second husband and his son Terry; her sister Vera Louise Ivie, and brothers Lloyd and Nelson Ward. Mrs. Keele is survived by her beloved sister, Hazel Ivie; her nieces, Norma Ivie, Nancy Ivie and Robert Strauch, Diane Ivie, Jamie McClary and Andrea and husband, Ivan Webb; her nephews Bo Ivie and wife Trish, Mike Ivie and wife Connie, John Ivie and Michele Monk, Wayne Ivie and wife Susie, Harold Lee Ward and wife Cindy, David Ward and wife Teresa, and Sam Ward; her stepchildren Jewel Faye Keele Lightfoot and Ronnie Keele. She is also survived by many great nieces and nephews as well as by her friends on The Ridge. After her retirement from Corsicana Daily Sun, she devoted her time and energy to her lifelong passion - animals and birds of all types. She was known throughout The Ridge for her rescue of any stray dog or cat abandoned in the area surrounding her home and of her determination to see to their needs and to lavish love upon them. She was an avid bird watcher and successfully raised many fledging birds that fell from their nest as well as various species including wrens, finches, doves, and canaries. Among her family, her most famous rescue was that of a young red fox found injured and separated from his mother that she rescued, treated, and raised to adulthood that followed her around like a puppy before he asked to be released back into the wild. The Ivie and Ward families would like to extend their gratitude for the compassionate care and kindness extended by all of the Heritage Oaks Retirement Village care givers and to each of the second floor staff members of Navarro Regional Hospital for their gentle and compassionate care; to Tim King, P.A. for his comfort, compassion, and guidance; to the wonderful nurses and associates of Bristol Hospice, each of whom made themselves to us both day and night; to Ms. Bernice Henry who provided hours of comfort and companionship to Mary Alma and her entire family' and to Roselyn Mitchell who was Aunt Cat's best telephone buddy. There will be a celebration of life at a late date in Hamilton-Beeman Cemetery under the direction of Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home

Mary Alma Keele

May 26, 1925 - January 15, 2023