Mrs. Shirley Jo Huffman Keenum, 1934 – 2025
STARKVILLE - Private family graveside services for Mrs. Shirley Jo Huffman Keenum, 90, formerly of Belzoni, Mississippi, were held at Memorial Garden Park in Starkville, Mississippi. Dr. Andy Brown, pastor of First Baptist Church, Starkville, officiated.
Mrs. Keenum, who was the mother of Mississippi State University President Mark E. Keenum, died Thursday, May 15, at The Carrington Nursing Center in Starkville following an extended illness.
Welch Funeral Home in Starkville was in charge of arrangements.
Born September 24, 1934, in Kosciusko, Mississippi, to Hardy and Irene Huffman, Mrs. Keenum graduated from Kosciusko High School. In 1959, she met and later married Charles Everett Keenum. The Keenums were married for 60 happy years before Charles passed away in 2019.
Shirley supported Charles while he earned an undergraduate degree in Agricultural Science at Mississippi State University. During her husband’s distinguished career with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, she made a home for the family at his government service stations in Greenwood, Yazoo City, Forest, Corinth, Marks, and Belzoni.
During their years in Belzoni, Mrs. Keenum served as director of the Humphreys County Public Library and was active with other librarians across the state in professional organizations. She was a longtime faithful member of First Baptist Church in Belzoni.
With her husband, Shirley enjoyed the tranquility of life on their farm in the Jaketown community of Humphreys County. She moved to Starkville to be near her family after Charles’ death.
Mrs. Keenum was preceded in death by her parents, husband Charles, and her brother Dale A. Huffman.
Survivors include: Her sons, Dr. Mark E. Keenum (Rhonda) of Starkville; and David M. Keenum (Desirae) of Edmund, Oklahoma; and 12 grandchildren, Katie, Rett, Mary Phillips, Torie, Charles, Connor, Christopher, Camden, Chance, Myles, Tori, and Lilyann. The family expressed their gratitude to the compassionate staff of caregivers at The Carrington.
In addition, the family is extremely thankful for the loving care of the Gentiva Hospice team.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent by mail to Mississippi State University, Attn. Shirley H. and Charles E. Keenum Endowed Scholarship, P.O. Box 6149, Mississippi State, MS 39762 or by visiting msufoundation.com or emailing info@advservices.msstate.edu.