Keith, Jacob Edwin

Jacob Edwin Keith, 89, of Riner, prominent retired Montgomery County dairy farmer, passed away Friday, May 5, 2006, at Carilion New River Valley Medical Center after a brief illness.

Mr. Keith was born on March 19, 1917, in Floyd County, Virginia, the son of Waller P. and Mae Howell Keith. While a young boy, his family moved to the Montgomery County dairy farm near Riner, where he lived the rest of his life.

Mr. Keith was well-known in agricultural circles, having been active in many farming organizations including Southern States Advisory Board, Riner Area Young Farmers and Riner Grange. He was a member of the Montgomery County Planning Commission for sixteen years and served two terms as its chairman. He also served on the Equalization Board and the board of the American Red Cross.

During his active retirement, Mr. Keith was known for his craft work, being an expert basket maker, chair caner and furniture refinisher. He often taught these skills in classes for the 4-H and the VT YMCA.

Mr. Keith was predeceased by his first wife, Edna Akers Keith, his parents, two sisters and a brother. He is survived by his second wife, Susan Regan Keith; a son, Phillip E. Keith; a daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Arthur Poff, all of Riner/ Christiansburg; a granddaughter, Jennifer Poff Cooper and husband, Lee of Madison, Ala.; great-grandchildren, Jacob Alexander and Inessa Claire Cooper of Madison, Ala.; stepchildren, Tommy Regan of Blacksburg, Dedee Regan of Charleston, S.C. and Sean Regan of Alexandria, Va.; special cousin, David Myers and wife, Mariel of Sieverville, Tenn.

Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to Montgomery County 4-H, c/o Montgomery County Extension Service, 755 Roanoke Street, Suite 1G, Christiansburg, Va. 24073. The family will receive visitors from 5 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, May 7, 2006, at Horne Funeral Home in Christiansburg, Va.

Funeral services for Mr. Keith will be at 2 p.m. on Monday, May 8, 2006, in the Horne Funeral Home Chapel, conducted by Pastor Kathy Hale of Auburn United Methodist Church, Riner, Va. Interment will follow in Sunset Cemetery, Christiansburg. The Keith family is being served by Horne Funeral Service, Christiansburg, Va., 382-2612. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.hornefuneral service.com.