JoAnn Keller

After a life that she described as long and happy, JoAnn Keller passed away on October 8, 2024. The daughter of Walter Smoot and Cornelia Warford, she was born in Paducah, Kentucky, on June 15, 1927. The family later moved to Cape Girardeau, Missouri, where she grew up. Working in a photography studio there, she met her future husband, Quinton Keller, when he came in with his team to have a picture taken. They were married in 1948 and their daughter, Linda Quinne, was born in 1949.

When Quinton accepted a job with Lemay Bank & Trust Co. in 1952, they moved to St. Louis County and became deeply rooted in the community. After Quinton died in 1992, JoAnn continued to live in their home there and pursued her interests in genealogy and local history. She became a member of a computer group for seniors and regularly played bridge. In 2013 she decided to move to Virginia to be closer to her daughter and her family. She was living at Greenspring Village in Springfield, Virginia, when she died.

JoAnn Keller is survived by her daughter, Linda Quinne Smyth; her son-in-law, Nigel Smyth; and her grandson, Sefton Keller Smyth. She is also survived by her sister, Esta Erle Johnson; her sister-in-law, Eldora Keller; and many nieces and nephews. Her funeral service will be held on Sunday, November 10 at Ford and Sons Funeral Home, 1001 N. Mt. Auburn Road, Cape Girardeau. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. with the service at 12:00 noon. Burial will follow at Cape County Memorial Park.