Norma Jean Waddle Keesee

Abingdon, Virginia

Norma Jean Waddle Keesee, age 89, of Abingdon, Virginia, died on Monday, December 23, 2024, with her loving husband by her side.

She was born in Bland County, Virginia on August 8, 1935, to the late Vance B. Waddle and Margaret Groseclose Waddle. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Teresa W. Lantz and her son-in-law, Jeffrey W. McCray. 

Norma Jean was a graduate of Bland County High School and earned an undergraduate degree in home economics at Radford University (formerly Radford College). She began her teaching career in Portsmouth, Virginia, where she met and married a handsome young Virginia State Trooper, Ryland Keesee, who was the love of her life for 66 years. In 1959 the couple relocated to Christiansburg, Virginia, where for 18 years they lived and raised a family. 

She pursued graduate coursework at night while teaching full-time and raising four children. Norma earned a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership at Radford University and, upon completion of all doctoral coursework, earned a Certificate of Advanced Doctoral Studies at Virginia Tech. Norma taught home economics and childcare at Christiansburg and Blacksburg High Schools and child development at Virginia Tech. She enjoyed working with students in the Future Homemakers of Virginia (FHA) and Home Economics Related Occupations (HERO) programs and was an active member of Young Homemakers of Virginia. Upon moving to Abingdon in 1977, Norma taught at East Tennessee State University and later served as assistant principal and principal of the William N. Neff Vocational Center (presently the William N. Neff Center for Science and Technology and the Washington County Career and Technical Education Center).

Norma is survived by her husband, Ryland C. Keesee, and her son and three daughters: Blaine Keesee (Maddy), Blacksburg, Virginia; Anne Keesee Derting (Tom), Abingdon; Carol Keesee McCray, Abingdon; and Kathy Keesee Blackburn (Terry), Stafford, Virginia; and six grandchildren: Will Derting, Chattanooga, Tennessee; Drew Lanzafama, Atlanta, Georgia; Allyson Derting, Richmond, Virginia; Claire Lanzafama, Richmond, Virginia; Molly McCray, Abingdon; and Jacob Keesee, Blacksburg, Virginia. She is also survived by her brother, D.B. Waddle (Janet), Marion; her sister, Peggy Peterson, Valley View, Texas; her sister-in-law, Virginia K. Woody (Jimmy), Lynchburg, Virginia, and her brother-in-law, Delmas Keesee (Mildred), Evington, Virginia, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. 

Norma was very appreciative of the exemplary heath care and support she received. The family wishes to extend special thanks to her in-home caregivers and the team of health professionals and personal care staff at Commonwealth Senior Living and Medical Services of America Home Health and Hospice (MSA).

Visitation will be from 1:00-2:00 PM at Frost Funeral Home on December 27, 2024, with the memorial service immediately following, Chaplain Melanie Daniel officiating. Her six grandchildren will serve as pallbearers at a private burial at Knollkreg Memorial Park. 

Contributions may be made to Trinity Methodist Church, 14459 West Bluegrass Trail, Bland, Virginia, 24315.

The family is being cared for by Frost Funeral Home, 250 East Main Street, Abingdon, Virginia, 24211, (276) 628-2131. Those wishing to express sympathy online may sign the guestbook at www.frostfuneralhome.com