Rachael Ruark Keener was born November 11, 1927 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Rachael's ambitious spirit drove her throughout life until passing away on December 6th, 2025.

Rachael graduated in 1945 from University High School in Oxford, Mississippi as president of her class. In 1949, she graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a major in English and a minor in Journalism. This degree set the stage for her career first as a teller and secretary at the Mannford State Bank, Oklahoma to an English and Journalism teacher at Mannford High School, Oklahoma.

After attending a class reunion in 1974, some of her friends encouraged her to move back to Oxford, Mississippi. With the help of a friend that had a place to live and a cousin who said he had a job for her, she moved back to Oxford, Mississippi in 1975. She was hired as the director of Public Relations at the North Mississippi Regional Center where she worked until retiring in 1995.

Rachael was an active member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Oxford, Mississippi, president of the Reader's Guild, and in her later years she attended computer classes for Senior Citizens and bought a computerized sewing machine. She volunteered for a project called, "Rag Dolls 2 Love" through the Episcopal church and used her sewing machine to make dolls. The dolls were sent to children in need of comfort who live in orphanages around the world and were affected by war and conflicts.

In 2014, she moved to a senior care facility in Houston, Texas where she enjoyed winning at bingo, treats at parties, field trips and visits from family. One of her caregivers said, "she put up a fight to the very end."

But most of all Rachael was a loving mother, mammie and friend and as her son Grant wrote, "she was our hero and guiding star."

Loved ones that will miss her are son Parke Brian Keener and wife Monica, and daughter Paula Hurst and husband Jim. Rachael was preceded in death by her son U. Grant Keener, III who is survived by his wife, Beverly. Rachael is also survived by her grandchildren Teresa Welch and husband David and their children Savannah, Austin, Sawyer; Rachael P. Keener, Katie Keener and son Liam, and Parke J. Keener; step grandchildren Michael Hurst, Jackson Hurst and his wife Stacy and children Ryder, Hunter, Shiloh; Colin Hurst and wife Erika and son Easton.

A memorial service will be held at St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church, Houston, Texas, on January 10th, 2026 at 11:00am.