Billie Jean Keene, 72, of Blytheville died early Thursday morning at Great River Medical Center. She was born in Blytheville on March 28, 1941 to Polk and Gladys Hargett. She was of the Baptist faith and a former member of the American Legion Women's Auxiliary.


Her hobbies included Bingo, playing pool, and watching Wheel of Fortune. In her younger days, she loved to cook. Her daughter-in-law especially liked her meatballs and spaghetti, and son Michael loved her chicken and rice.

She was always dressed up and ready to go places, with hair and make-up done perfectly.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one daughter, Tommie Ann Parrish;
Three brothers: Jimmy Mack Hargett, Lynn (L.B.) Hargett and Ricky Hargett;
Two nephews: Brian Calvert and Mark Carver;
Her first husband, Jimmy Keene,
And an infant son, Nick Keene.

She is survived by two sons: Michael Keene (Lauri) of Blytheville and Clifford Keene of Little Rock;

One stepdaughter: Jimmie Lynn (Keene) Richardson of Hot Springs;

Seven grandchildren: Jordan Keene, Coty Keene, Taylor (Keene) Fischer, Alex Keene, Miranda Cowsert, Ashlee Shell and Johnah Masse;

Four great-grandchildren: Bailee Keene , Brooklyn and Aidan Shell, and Charlotte Fischer;

Four sisters: Donna (Gene) Rhodes of Steele, Sandy (Mike) Chitmon of Russellville, Barbara Calvert of Mountain Home, and Mary Carver of Illinois;

Two brothers: James (Elaina) Hargett and Tiny Joe (Pat) Hargett , all of Steele;

One aunt: Dois Sinclair;

And a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Funeral services will be Saturday at 11:00 AM at Carney Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Tommy Joe Carney officiating. Visitation will be Friday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 PM.

Burial will be in Carney Cemetery.

.
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Billie Jean Keene, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.