Bernice Keown of Spring Texas passed on September 21, 2023 at the age of 93.  She was born in Monroe, Georgia on November 28, 1929 to Oxford Van and Annie Ruth Peebles.

In August of 1948, Bernice fell in love with and married Albert Jackson Keown and built a family with him.  They lived in Atlanta, Georgia near family when they welcomed their first born son, Stevie.  They then moved to Corpus Christi where they welcomed their first born daughter, Terry and within 3 years moved to Kilgore, where their youngest son, Tommy was born. By the mid 60's they settled in to Houston, where they welcomed their youngest daughter, Kim.  It was about that time that Bernice discovered her love for painting and art.

In 1972, The Keown's moved to Huntington Beach California where she studied under some of the most renowned artists in the country.   She always said that the beauty in California was an "Artist's paradise".

1977, the Keown's made their way back to Texas where they lived out the rest of their lives.  She belonged to the Woodlands Art League where she enjoyed painting portraits with her friends and colleagues.  Her gift created hundreds of beautiful works of art throughout her 60 years of active painting as a professional artist.  Perhaps her artistic eye is what led her to also enjoy gardening using beautiful flowers and her yards sang of her loving care.

Bernice, aka "Sugah" was witty, fun and was a mother figure to many.  Her innate heart of a "Mother" gave her burden for all children.  In the early 60's, in addition to 3 young children at the time, she fostered a toddler and an infant from a local orphanage.  She was an unbelievable advocate for unborn children and supported many initiatives to educate and support pregnant women.  There is no telling the impact that her lifelong support has had.

She kept her doors open to anyone who needed a shelter or lending ear.  On any given morning, you would find her on the phone listening to the joys and woes of all of her "kids" (Physically or emotionally).  Her most famous words were "Let go and Let God, and when you give it to him….. Leave it there!"  "Sugah" has now "Let go and Let God."  She is already missed terribly but rest assured she will be the hospitable hostess when she greets us all on the other side with a cold glass of that Georgia Sweet Tea.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Oxford Van and Annie Ruth Peebles, sister Olivia Faye Peebles, brother Alfred Peebles and sister Mildred Peebles, her husband of more than 54 years, Albert Jackson Keown and her son Steven Jackson Keown.

She was survived by her Daughter and Son in Law, Terry and Louis Wood, Son and Daughter in Law Tom and Kathy Keown, Daughter Kim Henson, Grandson and wife Jason and Katie Wood, Grandson and wife Chris and Melanie Keown, Grandson and wife Nick and Ann Keown, Granddaughter and husband Lorey and Joel Roberts, Granddaughter Tiffany San Martin, Grandson and wife Blake and Sandy Wood, Grandson Aaron Keown, Granddaughter and husband Jessica and BJ Savoy, Grandson and wife Thomas Jack and Brooke Keown, Granddaughter Haley Henson, Granddaughter Alyssa Henson, and Great Grandchildren, Ashley Keown, Mason Keown, Taylor San Martin, Grayson San Martin, Avery Wood, Jacob Wood, Collette Keown, Claire Keown, Lillian Roberts, Chloe Roberts, Lane Savoy, Sadie Doss, Skyla Keown, and Jacklyn Lambert.

If you feel led to donate to a local charity in her name, please go to Care-net.org which will continue her lifelong support for the unborn.