Johnny Keen, 61, of Eden,NC passed November 17,2021. A public viewing will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday, November 22,2021 at Perry- Spencer Funeral Home, Eden, NC. The family will receive friends from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 23, 2021, at Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, Eden, NC. with the funeral beginning at 11:00 a.m. and burial at Morning Star Church Cemetery.
Johnny O. Keen was born in Axton, VA on June 30, 1960, to the late Viola Keen Noel and the late Milton “Mickey” Manns. He passed away on Wednesday, November 17,2021 at Moses H. Cone hospital in Greensboro, NC after a 7- year battle with A.L.S.
Johnny attended Laurel Park High School. Later earning his GED and completing several certificate courses in small engine repair. This knowledge allowed him to work various jobs over the years. He worked at Liberty Embroidery, Ed A. Gunn Bookstore& Stationary, Sara Lee, and Fieldcrest Mills to name a few, until starting his own business doing lawn care. This grew to include handyman work. Johnny would also employ friends and neighbors to help them “have some money in their pockets”. Later instructing his stepson Jacob to use his equipment to work in the neighborhood. Because of his honesty and trustworthiness, he also was caregiver to many seniors. Driving, cleaning, handling personal business when they could not. He did the same and more for his mother until he himself could not.
Johnny loved fishing, playing cards, and watching movies. But his true passion was talking about the goodness of God. He had to “tell it!” After he became wheelchair bound, could no longer use his hands, was ventilator dependent, he only increased his ministry. Using his Eyegaze computer and cell phone he gave words of encouragement all over the world. Communicating to those in Africa, Philippines, UK, etc. and of course good ole Eden NC. He was truly a FACEBOOK friend. He stayed the hand of many from harm to themselves and others. Johnny came to Christ as a young man under the leading of his late sister Susie Ann Artis, he later joined the Galilean House of Worship. Just before his illness set in, he began attending Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church. He would also attend home bible studies hosted by Raven Brown and by Dwight and Patricia Lewis.
In addition to his parents, Johnny was preceded in death by sisters, Suzie Ann Artis and Hope Diane Manns Kimber; brothers, Donnie Keen, and Milton Manns, Jr.
He is forever cherished by his loving wife Lauretta Nunley Keen; son Jemel Keen of Greensboro; stepchildren John Blackwell of Eden, Emerald Blackwell, Jacob Blackwell, Seth Dix of the home. Sisters, Ruby Adams (Ben), Sandra Jessup (Alfred), Susan Benjamin (Harold), Denise Denny (Glenn); Brothers, Elder Walter Keen (Doris), Reginald Manns (Joan), Anthony Manns, Milton Dillard (Pat). Grandson Ja’Marion Blackwell.
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