Raymond "Babe" Harold Keith

June 8, 1944 - November 26, 2019

Raymond "Babe" Harold Keith was born June 8, 1944, in Redmondville, Missouri to Thurber Edgar and Sylvia Jean (Wells) Keith and passed away November 26, 2019, in Viburnum, Missouri at the age of seventy-five years. Babe grew up and attended school in Redmondville as well as Valley High School in Caledonia, Missouri. On September 10, 1961, he married Arbadella Mathes and together they shared fifty-eight years of marriage and were blessed to share four children: Landra, Pamela, Angela, and Timothy. During his working years, Babe was employed with the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 513 as a Heavy Equipment Operator. He was also the owner and operator of Keith Charcoal and a self-employed concrete worker. Babe was a member of Swords of Bunker Hill, Shriners, Thirty-Two Degree Scottish Rite Mason, and he was a fifty-year member of the Tyro Lodge #12 in Caledonia. Babe was a long-time member of Mt. Pleasant United Baptist Church and served as a Deacon. Babe loved to spend time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was an avid card player and enjoyed playing golf. He also enjoyed traveling with his wife Arbadella. They traveled all fifty states, including Mexico, and for several years, they would spend their winters in Texas. Babe is survived by his loving wife Arbadella (Mathes) Keith of the home; four children: Landra Latham and husband Jeff of Jackson, MO, Pamela Tiefenauer and husband Joe of Caledonia, MO, Angela Gibbs and husband Deron of Dillard, MO, Timothy Keith and wife Peggy of St. Genevieve, MO; one sister: Linda Civey of Caledonia, MO; ten grandchildren: Brian Meier; Tiffany Fare and husband Mike, Crystal Windle and husband Kyle, Caleb Tiefenauer and wife Katie; Jessica Keith, Tawny Asher, Ryan Keith and wife Anne, Leah Conaway and husband Jordan, Anna Gibbs, and Clara Gibbs; many great-grandchildren; as well as several nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Preceding him in death were his parents: Thurber and Sylvia Keith and brothers: Howard Keith, Cleo "Dick" Keith, and Ernest "Jack" Keith. Babe truly lived life to the fullest, his love for his family and friends was as deep as his ties to the community. He will be deeply missed. Funeral Service for Raymond "Babe" Harold Keith was held Friday, November 29, 2019, in the Mt. Pleasant United Baptist Church of Goodland, Missouri with Elder Adam Asher, Pastor Garry Mathes, and Pastor Edward "Butch" Haus. Special Music was provided by the family. Serving as Pallbearers were Brian Meier, Riley Meier, Caleb Tiefenauer, Levi Fare, Logan Fare, Ethan Tiefenauer, K.J. Tiefenauer, and Timothy Keith. Burial was in the Keith Cemetery in Belleview, Missouri. All arrangements were under the direction of Wilson Mortuary of Viburnum, Missouri.