Barbara Jean (Hill) Keisler

June 13, 1947 – December 7, 2020

“If we did all the things that we are capable of,

we would literally astound ourselves.”

Barbara Jean Keisler (Bobbi): wife of 57 years, mother of three, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, mentor and spiritual mother to too many to count, yet she did all these things with ease because she grew to realize and rely on Our Lord Jesus’ unfailing promise to strengthen her along the ”way of the cross” that He laid out for her. “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” (Matthew 11: 29-30)

Barbara, born on June 13, 1947 in Ninety-Six, South Carolina, was the daughter of Mattie O. Rawls Taylor (deceased) and Herbert Davis (deceased). She was married to her best friend and devotee, Clayry Hansom Keisler for 57 years. For Clayry, this beautiful love story started in Barbara’s first year of elementary school, and for the past several years, he bought her flowers each week. The Lord blessed this union with three daughters: Matea Keisler, Melanie Williams (Kevin), and Beverly Williams (deceased), and four adoring grandchildren: Marcus Keisler-Smith, Landen and Aniya Woodberry, and Ethan Williams.

As she would have wanted, Barbara leaves special, good, kind and humorous memories of time spent with her two brothers: Eddie Davis and Jimmy Louis Wise (deceased); four sisters: Kathy Davis, Marilyn Davis, Judy Taylor (deceased) and Jenelle Davis (deceased); one God-son: Eddie McCloud; Special people in her life including: Martha Haltiwanger; cousins: Alicia Dean, Janice, Wilma, Mildred, and Michael (Jr.) King, Sara Rister, and Shelby Dreher; nieces, nephews, a host of cousins, and friends. She had fond memories and stories from living in Germany (two stints), Texas, Kentucky and Connecticut.

The New Bethel AME Church community was a big part of Barbara’s life and fundamental to her faith formation. During her membership, she generously and happily served as head of missionary society, was a member of the Gospel choir, the Usher Board, and other organizations.

Barbara was a former Eastern Star with a special affinity for children with special needs, and was a school bus driver for 22 years for children with special needs.

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