Woodrow Keown, Sr.

Woodrow Keown Sr.,91 of College Station, Ark., was born July 6, 1920 and completed his earthly service on May 5, 2012. He was the second of eight children born to the late William C. and Janie Hughes Keown in Aliceville, Alabama. He moved to Arkansas in 1941 where he met and married Mable Louise Daniels. They became the proud parents of seven children, four daughters and three sons. Always a servant, he enlisted in the United States Army and proudly served his country in both World War II and Korean Wars. "Daddy Wro" loved the church and at an early age, he confessed a love for Christ uniting with his family at Emory Chapel C.M.E. Church in Alabama remaining there until moving to Arkansas where he joined Pleasant Hill C.M.E. Church. He was an active and faithful member until his health no longer allowed the vigorous, active service to which he was accustomed. In the church, "Daddy Wro" served in various leadership roles at the local, district and annual conference levels. Education was important and he was relentless in his efforts to ensure that all of his kids graduated high school and college. He also obtained a degree from Philander Smith College in 1973. Along with others, he was deeply involved in community and civic events always fighting for a better quality of life for all. He did so much to help make College Station a better place to live. His family meant the world to him and "Daddy Wro" was always fun. He gave us plenty of laughs and was always such an easygoing and fun loving gentleman. Preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Webster and Phillip; sisters, Bessie, Neila and Lillie. He leaves to cherish his legacy wife, Mable; sons, Woodrow (Edna), Cincinnati, Ohio, James (Barbara), San Antonio, Texas and Ronald of Lowell, Ark.; daughters, Barbara Gilkey (Alonzo) of Little Rock, Phyllis Winton (Jerry), Karen White both of Maumelle, Avis Leeper of Charlotte, N.C.; sister, Roberta Irby and sister in-law, Eller Keown of College Station; a special niece, Ada Keown of Little Rock; 13 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, cousins and so many friends all of whom will cherish the love, joy and zest for living he had. A celebration of "Daddy Wro" life will be held Saturday, May 12, 2012, 11 a.m., at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, Daisy L. Gaston Bates Dr. & Ringo St., Little Rock, Arkansas. Interment with honors will be on Monday, May 14, 2012, 10 a.m., at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery, 1501 Maryland Ave. North Little Rock, Arkansas. Family visitation will be on Friday, May 11, 2012, 7:30-8:30 p.m., at Ruffin & Jarrett Funeral Home, 1200 Chester St. Little Rock, Ark. (501) 372-1305.