Jerry Wayne Keene, 64 of Phyllis, KY passed away Tuesday, April 14, 2020 a his home. Jerry was born September 18, 1955 at Pikeville, KY to the late Dewey Keene & Minnie Varney Keene. In addition to his parents, Jerry was preceded in death by five siblings, Berkley Keene, Dewey Keene, Jr., Shirley Anderson, Donnie Joe Keene & Robert Keene. Jerry is survived by his wife, Rita Kendrick Keene of Phyllis, KY; three children, Kimberly Keene Slone & Jeremy (Savannah) Keene both of Phyllis, KY and Nikki (Justin) Keene Abbott of Kimper, KY; seven grandchildren, Ashley Slone, Bailey Slone, Connor Abbott, Logan Abbott, Kylee Abbott, Addison Keene & Jerran Keene; and three great-grandchildren, Greyson Powers, Aubrie Tackett & Remington Tackett. Jerry is also survived by five siblings, Roger Keene of FL, Johnny Keene of MI, Betty Weaver, Gary Keene & Patricia Keene all of Phyllis,KY. A private funeral service will be conducted at the Bailey Funeral Home Chapel with a private burial at the Keene Family Cemetery, Phyllis, KY. The family understands that many want to attend the service but cannot due to the restrictions in place from the pandemic and would like to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers during this time.
It was sad news to hear the passing of Keeno. For me as a young man wanting to get into the trucking industry I would wait on him to pick me up on Grapevine or at the L and M mart 3-4 times each week. He was the 1st person to allow me to drive a big truck and so many times he would take this risk coming back from Ashland letting me drive an almost new truck. I’ve always appreciated him for that.
I always enjoyed talking with him and we never had a disagreement. I have looked up to Keeno the past 30 years and it meant a lot to me last fall when he pulled in the church parking lot and we talked for awhile.
He was liked by many and I know he’ll be missed .
Your friend, Bret May
We certainly hated to hear about the passing of Jerry. He was always a good neighbor. All of your family will be in our prayers.
He was always nice to me and my family and I praying for you all