Beatrice Keen

Beatrice Joyce Huggins Keen was born in Erick Oklahoma on June 29, 1930.  Joyce entered heavens gates, at the age of 89, on August 16th 2019. 

Joyce’s parents were Beatrice Gladys and Forest Fowler (Pete) Huggins.  She was preceded in death by her mother Gladys Davenport and step-father LB Davenport, father Pete Huggins and brother Duane Huggins.  Joyce was survived by her two children Janet Leyendecker, and Jerri McTaggart and husband Kevin.  Joyce had 5 grandchildren Brandy Lee and husband Ronnie, Tiffany Jones, Rebecca Kunkel and husband Visente and Cody Leyendecker and wife Ashley, KaiAnn Stamp and husband Matt; 10 great grandchildren Brandon Lee and wife Paula, AJ Hutchins, Megan, Julia and Asher Lee, Domonic Veasey and fiancé Lexi, Kya Perez, John Leyendecker, Railyn and Adela Stamp; and 2 great-great grandchilden Kairi Lee and Jaylyn Dryer.  Joyce was survived by her brother Ray Davenport and sister Kay Eiseman along with many nephews and nieces and granddogs.  Her family was her world and cherished every moment with them.

Joyce married John E. Keen in 1950 and lived in Lovington, New Mexico.  In 1963, the family moved to Winnie, Texas where she was a secretary for the Winnie Rice Coop for 17 years.  Joyce retired and moved to Austin in the early 90’s.  In 2002, Joyce moved in with Kevin and Jerri McTaggart in Carlsbad, New Mexico and then followed them to Los Alamos in 2017. 

Joyce loved her family and looked forward to dinners, games, parties, shopping and camping.  Joyce was very patriotic and loved her country.  She always participated in the Wreaths Across America event every year to honor our fallen soldiers. 

Joyce attended Paradise Chapel in Carlsbad for 15 years where she met her best friend Maggie Lee.  The two were inseparable and planned to be roommates in the nursing home.  Maggie passed away the week before they were to be roommates.  Joyce joined White Rock Baptist Church in 2017 and met her sweet friend Eli (a 10-year-old boy that thought the world of mom).  Eli would sit and visit with her for hours. 

Joyce attended the Betty Ehart Senior Center for a year before she moved into Sombrillo Nursing Home.  She looked forward to riding the bus each morning and visiting with all the people at Adult Daycare.  Once she moved into the Sombrillo Nursing home in July of 2018, she became the President of the Resident Board and was so proud of this role.  She made sure to greet all new residents, attend to issues they might have and help the staff pass out flyers each day.   

Services will be held at the Sombrillo Nursing home in Los Alamos (for the residents, staff and friends) August 31st at 2 PM and in Carlsbad, NM at Paradise Chapel, September 7th at 10 AM.