MAIDEN, N.C.—Mary Elizabeth (Day Barker) Keener, 100, of Maiden passed quietly at her home on March 27, 2026 with family at her side. 

A Memorial Service will take place at Goodin-Drum Funeral Home in Maiden on Friday, April 3, 2026 with receiving from 2-3 p.m. and service at 3 P.M. followed by gravesite rites at Maiden Municipal Cemetery.

Born to the late William Walter Day and Nora Bell Laws Day in Charlotte on June 5, 1925, Mary and her three younger (Day) sisters were orphaned as children and lived at the Alexander Home in Charlotte until adopted or fostered out. Mary and two of these sisters were lovingly raised by the late William H. and Carolyn Barker of Hickory. Mary attended Maiden, St. Stephens and Hickory High schools and graduated from Hickory High School (1944) where she was a star player on the girls basketball team. Mary met Carl Worthy (Monroe) Keener of Maiden during his military leave, they became pen pals during Carl’s service in the Pacific theatre during World War II. They married on his return on February 14, 1945.

Mary is preceded in death by her husband, Carl, her oldest son, James Carl Keener of Maiden, her sisters, Ann Parker of Maiden, Alice Bradford of Hickory, Gladys Crenshaw of Rockingham, Lula Day, Frankie Vance, Hazel Williams and Ella Mae Campo; and brothers, George Day, Daniel Oscar Day, William G. Barker and Fred S. Barker.

She is survived by a sister, Sue Lindley, two daughters, Lisa Renae Keener and Patricia Ann McLaughlin, a son, William T. Keener and his wife, Marion Keener, six grandchildren, and numerous great, and second great grandchildren.

Mary was a kind, compassionate and selfless woman. She was the mother, sister, grandmother, mother-in-law and friend everyone dreams of having in their life. Her tender heart and love for others was displayed in how she not only cared for her family, but cared for everyone that came in contact with her.

Mary worked for many years in the local textile and furniture industries and retired from Ethan Allen in Maiden. A beloved caregiver for so many herself, Mary was cared for the last few years by her daughter, Lisa, and grandson, Hunter, of the home, as well as her son, William, her sister, Sue, and her nephew, Phillip Parker.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to Family Builders of Catawba Valley, which is the part of Catawba County Social Services with a mission to create, build, strengthen and sustain all families through foster, adoption, and kinship services.

Goodin-Drum Funeral Home  of Maiden, N.C. is serving the Keener family.