Obituary of Jacqualine "Jackie" Joy Keener Richards

Jacqualine “Jackie” Joy Keener Richards, 91, of Fairmont, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Thursday, October 23, 2025 at the Pierpont Center at Fairmont Campus. She was born September 22, 1934 in Marion County, WV a daughter of the late Elbert W. and Marsilete Elliott Keener. Jackie was a lifelong member of the Colfax United Methodist Church where she was a past teacher for both Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. She also attended the Apostolic Christian Temple. She owned and operated the Little Gallery and Art Studio in Fairmont for many years. Jackie enjoyed teaching art to 4H Clubs, local schools, and community events. She helped start the Soup Opera of Fairmont and was a member of the N.C.W.V. Emmaus. She was an avid gardener and loved spending time in her flower beds. Her greatest joy was being with her family and animals. Jackie is survived by her son, Brian and his wife Rachel Richards of Fairmont, her son-in-law Pastor Leonard “Chris” Gillespie, her daughter-in-law, Ladonna Brezik, and her grandchildren: Daniel Richards, Adrian Richards, Rachel Glaspell and her husband Brad, Rebekah Anyanwu and her husband Solomon, Joy Huffman and her husband Brandon, Sarah Cleveland and her husband Kevin, Chris Gillespie and his wife Brooke, Josh Bowyer and his companion Tracie, Jonah Bowyer, Codi Richards, Casey Richards and his wife Ali, Jordan Mueller and his companion Cyrene, Eliza Mueller, and Veronica Hurst and her husband Evan. She is also survived by 32 great grandchildren, 11 great-great-grandchildren, her brothers-in-law John Bierce of Moundsville, WV and Doyle Cowger of Fairmont, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her son Mark Richards, her daughter Bridget Gillespie, her great granddaughter, Bethany Sawitski, her brothers William “Bill” Keener and Rev. Richard Keener, and her sisters, Joanna Bierce and Linda Cowger. The family would like to thank the doctors and staff at the Pierpont Center for the loving care and concern they have provided over the last four years. The family has entrusted the arrangements to Ford Funeral Home, 201 Columbia Street Fairmont, WV. In accordance with her wishes, cremation services will take place. A public memorial service will be held On Saturday, November 22, 2025 at 11AM at the Apostolic Christian Temple, 264 Viola Road, Fairmont, WV with Pastor Chris Gillespie officiating. Online condolences may be made to www.fordfuneralhomes.com.