Emma O'Keefe's Obituary
“Emma Nadine O’KeefeNovember 18, 1928 – December 28, 2018Emma Nadine O’Keefe peacefully passed away in her sleep on December 28, 2018. Nadine (as she preferred to be called) was born in Stoddard County, Missouri, to Russell and Elsie Perry. She grew up on the family farm in Bernie, Missouri, along with her older sister, Doris. Nadine often related stories and fond memories of her childhood on the farm. Although the family was not rich in material wealth, she often said that “we were happy and we didn’t feel poor”, since she was blessed with a healthy, close, and hard-working family.After graduating from high school, Nadine moved to Memphis, Tennessee to attend business school. When she completed the business school curriculum, Nadine obtained employment at Tennison Brothers, in Memphis. Nadine worked in Accounting at Tennison (a sheet metal manufacturer and contractor) for over 60 years. Nadine’s work was very important to her self-esteem, and she was a dedicated and loyal employee. Nadine made many close friends at Tennison over the years – far too many to mention in this obituary – but she would want all of the Tennison Brothers family to know how much they meant to her.Nadine lived on Joffre Avenue in Memphis, and became close friends with several of her neighbors. She was single in early adulthood, and was blessed with neighbors that would assist her with maintenance of her home.Nadine later married Sydney O’Keefe, who was an army veteran and employee of the railroad. They were married for over 20 years, before Sydney passed away. Nadine’s step-son Bob O’Keefe, took her to several events in the Memphis area, over the years.Nadine attended Bellevue Baptist Church throughout her adult life in Memphis. Although Nadine never had any children of her own, she did love children, and she particularly enjoyed assisting with the young children’s programs at Bellevue.Nadine maintained close contact with her older sister, Doris, and often visited Doris’s family in suburban Detroit. Nadine was known as “Aunt Pat” to her three nephews. Her two older nephews, Don and Rob Turner, handled her affairs since 2012, when her failing memory required her to retire from Tennison Brothers.Nadine resided at Foxbridge Assisting Living in Memphis, since 2015.Emma Nadine O’Keefe was one of the sweetest persons that anyone could meet. She was soft spoken, kind, and blessed with a wry since of humor. Nadine was active and enjoyed seeing the sights around Memphis, such as Graceland. When she reached 50 years of employment at Tennison Brothers, she was rewarded with a trip to Europe, which she often spoke of, very fondly. Nadine enjoyed music and loved her pet dogs that enriched her life over the years.Nadine will be missed by all those who knew her.”Arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave., Memphis, TN 38119 (901) 767-8930. “Celebrating Life… Behind the Stone Wall”.
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