Beatrice - Fairfield

Beatrice Dell (Mama) Keaton Beatrice Dell (Mama) Keaton was born on June 14, 1914 in Freestone County, Texas and she was a lifelong resident of Fairfield, Texas. Her early childhood was part of the pre-industrialized era in Freestone County that included dirt farming for subsistence and livelihood. She lived through the daunting and often harsh conditions of the depression and grew up without many of the conveniences we now identify as necessities. Mama Keaton was married to William Lee (Daddy Dick) Keaton in 1933 and remained married for 58 years. They raised their three children and operated the Crystal Ice & Locker Storage Company in Fairfield. There were no electric refrigerators at that time and most people owned a large wooden box that held a 50 lb block of ice in the top enclosure for cold storage. It was known as an “ice box”. The Crystal Ice & Locker Storage Company supplied ice to Freestone County and also served as a meat processing facility, cold storage operation, and general food storefront. Many in Fairfield may remember receiving their first ICEE from Mama Keaton in that same storefront. Mama Keaton enjoyed hunting, fishing, and gardening and was very involved with her children’s schooling. Mama Keaton, like many of her time, lived a value-driven traditional lifestyle yet was not afraid to speak her mind on many issues. I once asked Mama Keaton in her later years what she wanted for Christmas and her reply was simply “cool water and kind words”. This easy uncomplicated manner was the way that Mama Keaton lived her life and what she brought to our family as the matriarch. Mama Keaton went to be with her spiritual family on April 23, 2011 in Corsicana Texas. Beatrice Dell (Mama) Keaton is preceded in death by her parents Mack Simpson Sanchez, and Emma, numerous brothers and sisters, her husband William Lee Keaton, her daughter Mae Dell (Keaton) Whiteside and son in-law Glenn Whiteside. She is survived by her daughter Marie (Keaton) Battles and husband Larry of Corsicana and son Richard Keaton of Fairfield. Her grandchildren, [who faced the daunting task of retrieving their own disciplinary switch from the tree outside her house] include Amanda (Whiteside) Lee, Wendell Whiteside, Kim (Keaton) Page, Russell Keaton, Melissa Battles, Larry Jr. Battles and numerous great and great-great grand children. Visitation services will be in Fairfield at Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home on Monday April 25 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Graveside services will be held Tuesday April 26th at 11:00am at Fairfield Cemetery with Bro. Ed Ridge officiating.

Beatrice - Fairfield

June 14, 1914 - April 23, 2011