Norfolk City Virginia USGenWeb Archives Obituaries.....Keeling, Melville Cox January 9, 1923
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/va/vafiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Dorothy Strawhand https://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00034.html#0008405 February 21, 2020, 5:35 pm

Virginian Pilot and The Norfolk Landmark January 10, 1923

MAJOR KEELING DIES; AGED 85

Major Melville Cox Keeling, former mayor of Berkley, Confederate veteran and 
for many years commanding officer of the Norfolk Light Artillery Blues, and 
at the time of his death a justice of the peace, died at 11 o'clock last 
night in a local hospital.  He had been in ill health for several months.
Major Keeling was 85 years of age.  He was long prominently identified with 
local civic, industrial and military affairs and was widely known.  Major 
Keeling is survived by his widow, who was Miss Sallie Walker, and by one 
daughter, Mrs. W.W. Roberson and one son, Harry W. Keeling, all of this 
city.
Arrangements for funeral have not been completed.
***********************************************************************

                       MAJOR KEELING FUNERAL FRIDAY
             Ceremony Will Be at Memorial Methodist Church at 2 p.m.

The funeral of Major Melville Cox Keeling, who died in a local hospital late 
Tuesday night, will be held at Memorial Methodist Church at 3:30 p.m. 
tomorrow, Rev. E. Finley Gayle, pastor, officiating.
                         Of Princess Anne Family
Major Keeling was born in Williamsburg, October 7, 1838.  His father and 
grandfather were natives of Princess Anne County.
When 20 years old, young Keeling enlisted in the Norfolk Light Artillery 
Blues, and in point of continuous service was probably the oldest officer in 
the Virginia military service, if not the oldest member of what was formerly 
known as the Virginia Volunteers, now the National Guard.
Serving with the Blues, Major Keeling was twice wounded--at Chancellorsville 
and at the battle of the Crater, near Petersburg.  He was taken prisoner 
during the Stonewall Jackson raid into Maryland and Pennsylvania, but was 
soon exchanged.
Just before Lee surrendered he was captured at Hatchet's Run and imprisoned 
at Point Lookout until after the close of the war, being released later by 
President Johnson.
Returning to Norfolk he retained his connection with the Blues, and in 
March, 1889, was elected captain of the battery, serving as commander for 
eighteen years.  He was then promoted to command the First Battalion of 
Virginia Artillery, with the rank of major.
Major Keeling took active interest in development of Berkley.  He served as 
a member of the council in Berkley before annexation and was elected mayor 
in 1899.  He had also been president of the council and at the time of his 
death was one of the city magistrates.
He was a Mason of high standing and an exemplary citizen.
On July 12, 1866, he married Miss Sally Walker, daughter of H.B.C. Walker 
and Mary Creecy Walker.  His widow survives him, with two children, Mrs. 
W.W. Robertson and Harry Walker Keeling; nine grandchildren and two great-
grandchildren.
Major Keeling was one of the sixteen original members of Memorial Methodist 
Episcopal Church for more that fifty years.  He had an official position 
with this church since its organization.  For more than twenty-five years he 
was superintendent of the Sunday school and for thirty years was chairman of 
the board of stewards.

Virginian Pilot and The Norfolk Landmark January 11, 1923

Additional Comments:
Magnolia

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/norfolkcity/obits/k/keeling692nob.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/vafiles/

File size: 3.8 Kb