Mrs. Esther Anderson Keown, age 84, of Murfreesboro, TN made her final journey home to her Heavenly Father on Friday, January 6, 2017. Born the first of 10 children in Racine, WI, she attended Washington Park High School in her hometown before graduating from Northeastern Oklahoma State University with both a bachelor's and master's degree and devoted her working life to education for 21 years. Mrs. Keown served as a fourth grade teacher at Bungalow and Mary Blount elementary schools in Blount County, TN, where she lived for many years with her husband of 64 years Rev. Gale Keown and her four children.

She was also an accomplished artist, brightening countless lives with her talent. Mrs. Keown will be remembered most for her kindness, generosity, and devotion to her family and faith. She was a dedicated member of First Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Murfreesboro and always enjoyed spending time with her church family and teaching Sunday School classes.

Mrs. Keown is survived by her husband of 64 years, Gale Keown of Murfreesboro; son and daughter-in-law, Larry G. and Linda Keown of Murfreesboro; daughters and sons-in-law Kimberly K. and Pete Carter of Maryville, TN, Lynn K and Ron Waters of Alcoa, TN, and Lisa K and Tim Johnson of Mebane, NC. She is also survived by grandchildren Larry David Keown and his wife Brandi, Nick Keown, Bradley Keown, Kimberly Johnson, Jessica Carter and her husband Miles, and Scott Carter, as well as great-grandson Gavin Lee Keown.

Visitation with the family will be Monday, January 9, 2017 from 8:00am until 10:00am at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Funeral services will be held Monday, January 9, 2017 at 10:00am at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Rev. Chris Warren will officiate. Burial will take place Monday, January 9, 2017 at 4:00pm in Clarks Grove Cemetery in Maryville, TN. Rev. Ron Longmire will officiate.

Memorials may be made to First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 907 E Main St, Murfreesboro, TN 37130 or Clarks Grove Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 3137 Old Knoxville Hwy, Maryville, TN 37804 in memory of Mrs. Keown.