Joann Whitlock Keenum

A graveside service for Joann Whitlock Keenum of Starkville, formerly of Kilmichael, will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, November 27 at Poplar Springs Cemetery near Kilmichael. Rev. Don Smith will officiate the service.

Visitation will be Sunday, November 26, from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Oliver Funeral Home.

Joann Whitlock Keenum, 86, passed away in Starkville on Thursday, November 23, 2023. She was born to Jimmy Lee and Annie Mae Rogers Whitlock on May 28, 1937, in New Albany, MS. She retired from the former Kilmichael High School as cafeteria manager and bus driver, but through the years also worked at the store in Poplar Creek for 25 years and sale barns in Grenada, Winona, and Kosciusko. She loved to cook and spend time having fun with her family. When she was able, she enjoyed tending to her flowers. She adored her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and was a member of Poplar Springs Church near Kilmichael.

She is survived by her son, Randy Keenum (Julie) of Kilmichael; three grandchildren, Rodney Keenum, Chad Keenum, and Ashley Sharp; three great-grandchildren, Hagan Trimble, Reata Keenum, and Zane Keenum; and two nieces, Leann Metheny and Kristie Sewell.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William A. Keenum; daughter, Vickie Sharp; son, Dennis Keenum; great-granddaughter, Cassidy Keenum; and brother, Johnny Whitlock.