Phyllis Jean Keen

Phyllis Keen passed away peacefully on October 7, 2023 at the Cleveland Clinic Akron General Justin T. Rogers Care Center surrounded by her family.

Phyllis was born December 2, 1944 to the late Everett and Clara Perkins as the youngest of 10 children. The family moved to Akron in the late '40s, where Phyllis attended Akron Public Schools.

It was Thanksgiving of 1959 when Phyllis' brother-in-law Caudill Robinson introduced her to a 19-year-old from Pike County, Kentucky named Bennie Keen. Like so many others from the area, Bennie moved up to Summit County to try to find work. A love quickly sparked and the two were married in Wellington, Ohio on July 12, 1960.

For the next 63 years, the two planted a firm family foundation. They traveled across the country with their children in a motorhome, with stories still shared and laughed about today. Their home on Weiser Avenue was a place for their many nieces and nephews to hang out and for friends to swim. Phyllis worked a variety of jobs to provide her children a comfortable life.

In 1980, Phyllis and the family followed Bennie back to Kentucky after he was laid off from the Ford stamping plant in Walton Hills. She worked at the First National Bank of Pikeville as an office assistant and at Pikeville College. Some of Phyllis' proudest moments were watching both her children graduate from the college and find work they loved so much they didn't consider it work. Phyllis also converted to Catholicism, attending St. Francis of Assisi Parish.

Four years later, Ford recalled Bennie and the two of them settled at Tallmadge Oaks Apartments. Phyllis went to Our Lady of Victory Parish and worked at KWA Inc. in Kent, staying there until becoming a grandma. She moved to Cuyahoga Falls in 1990, becoming a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church.

Phyllis changed career paths to become a full-time grandmother. She loved going on field trips, some of which included Kalahari, the Cleveland International Film Festival and Hale Farm and Village, as she was always a curious learner. Trips to South Carolina to see her other grandchildren became an enjoyable part of the schedule as well. She could be counted on as a warm presence and assistant during yearly pool parties, 4th of July work parties and every major holiday. One of her most favorite memories was VIP seating to see Elton John at Blossom Music Center in 2011 and getting a backstage pass.

Phyllis discovered she had Liver Cancer in 2021. While she successfully controlled it, it came back this past year.

Besides her parents, Phyllis was preceded in death by grandson Michael Keen and siblings Rosemarie Carter, Clifton, Mac and Junior Perkins and Hazel Robinson. Surviving is her husband of 63 years Bennie of Cuyahoga Falls, children Carmalita (Tom) Shade of Cuyahoga Falls and Paul (Janet) of Easley, South Carolina, grandchildren Patrick Shade of Cuyahoga Falls and Devyn Keen of Easley, South Carolina, and siblings Opaleen Anderson, Evalee (Lester) Pointer, Martin and Robert (Joan) Perkins as well as countless nieces, nephews and friends.

The family would like to thank Phyllis' doctors at Cleveland Clinic Akron General and the staff at the Justin T. Rogers Care Center for her peaceful last days on this earth.

The family recommends giving to a charity of your choice in her memory. Some of Phyllis' favorites included Shriners Hospitals for Children and St. Jude.

We are comforted knowing Phyllis is in our hearts and in spirit while traveling the world, enjoying a Beer Joint burger from Whitey's, watching the news and pushing her way to do the dishes despite a chorus of "Go Sit Down!"

All are welcome to visit at Newcomer Funeral Home, 131 N. Canton Rd. Akron, 44305 on Friday, October 13th from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, October 14th at 11:00 a.m., with Father Thomas McCann officiating. Interment to follow the service at Lakewood Cemetery. To leave a message for Phyllis' family, please visit the guestbook below.