Janice Blackman Keen

Janice Blackman Keen, age 87, of Newton Grove NC went to be with the Lord on February 3rd, 2026.  Janice was born April 8th, 1938 to loving parents Bernard and Almeta Blackman.  She was raised on a farm with five brothers and 3 sisters. She was raised in a loving Christian home with strong family values of hard work, love your neighbor and giving back to your community.   She attended Maple Grove Church every Sunday and afterwards would travel to the Newton Grove Circle where she caught the eye of a young man in the Air Force Walton Sherrol Keen that she fell in love with and married for 62 years.  They were blessed with 3 beautiful children: Rhonda Fields (Odean), Diane Williford (Jeffrey), and David Keen (Shelley), 6 precious Grandchildren: Hillary Wooten, Alex Wooten, Derek Williford (Kathryn), Andrew Williford, Rachel Rhoades (Mark), and Audrey Keen (Robert), and 3 precious Great grandchildren: Cole, Logan, and Grace Williford.  Survived by her loving brother Charlie Blackman (Nancy).  Family was her greatest joy.  She was preceded by her parents Bernard and Almeta Blackman, brothers Robert, Douglas, Donald, and Sandy Blackman, sisters Sarah Raynor, Julia Thornton, and Pearlie Dunn.

During her 87 years she was active at Hopewell Methodist Church helping out with the youth.  She was a member of the Eastern Star for 25 years and a member of the Red Hat Society where she loved playing games and winning prizes.  She retired as a teacher’s assistant with Sampson County Schools.

She was a compassionate, strong, nurturing, and kind mother that would help her brother’s barn tobacco and children pick cucumbers in the summer when she didn’t have too, but did out of her love for family.  Her love for flowers enabled her to create beauty in everything around her.  She loved Myrtle Beach, chocolate, church family, cooking, and working in the yard.

She will always be loved and will be truly missed.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Hopewell Methodist Church memory of Janice. 

Dunn Funeral Home, Inc of Newton grove is honored to serve the family of Janice Keen.

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