Larry Philip Keenum of Rainbow City, gained his eternal glory on Wednesday, May 26, 2021. A gentle giant and fervent servant of our Lord, Mr. Keenum has been a member of Twelfth Street Baptist Church for over fifty years serving as a Deacon and on various committees. Mr. Keenum graduated Gadsden High School with the class of 1968. He attended Auburn University prior to his enlistment in the United States Marine Corp. He considered his service in the Marine Corp an honor and privilege. Mr. Keenum worked for Goodyear Tire & Rubber in Gadsden retiring with thirty-six years of service. He was also a AHSAA Basketball Referee and served as an Evaluator for the AHSAA. His officiating career also included collegiate officiating across numerous small conferences. Born in Blount County, August 23, 1950, in his grandparents’ home, his heart never left the Blount County farmland. He spent countless hours working the land, playing with cousins, and sowing seeds of many cherished memories. Mr. Keenum moved to Gadsden at the age of four, making Gadsden and Rainbow City his lifetime home where he served as a City Councilman for The City of Rainbow City for twelve years. He loved his community and serving the citizens of Rainbow City. He also served on the Etowah County Planning Board and various civic committees in Etowah County. He was an avid golfer and loved working the PGA Golf Tournaments in Birmingham each year having the honor of being a Starter Announcer.
He is survived by his beloved wife of thirty-nine years, Bobbie Bowling Keenum, daughter Leslie Clemons (Neil), son Drew Keenum (Ashley), sister Brenda Keenum Patterson, brother-in-law Michael Bowling and sister-in-law Sonja Bowling, grandchildren Taylor Register, Tylynn Register, and Maggie Keenum, special nieces and nephews Mandy (Chad) Camp, Jessica (Tony) Rich, Dalton (Rachel) Bowling, and special great nieces and nephews, Kenley, Mason, Easton, and Evelyn, and an abundance of cousins, friends, and extended family. Not to be left out, his beloved Strafford. Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Enola “Jane” and Cecil Paul Bryant and In-laws, Bobby and Faye Bowling. And, special friend, Bill Bice.
Larry Keenum never met a stranger. He was loved by all that met him and more so by those who knew him. His gentle countenance and the twinkle in his eye served to accent his readiness to tell you a story that never ceased to entertain. He was a man of character that exemplified integrity, honesty, and loving as Christ loved us. A godly husband, father, and friend, Larry Keenum will be missed by those left behind, but we celebrate his eternal homegoing and in his way say, “See ya.”
Micah 6:8 “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and love kindness, and to walk humble with your God?”
Funeral service will be at 2pm Saturday May 29, 2021 at Collier Butler Chapel. Visitation will be from noon until 2pm on Saturday at the funeral home. Dr. Richard Trader and Rev. Thomas Winborn will officiate. Collier Butler Funeral Home will direct services. In Lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to Twelfth Street Baptist Church, Big Oak Boys Ranch , or American Parkinson Disease Association, apda@apdaparkinson.org.
