Mildred Keller Robertson

Mother Mildred Keller Robertson at the age of 96, peacefully transitioned to be with her Heavenly Father on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at her residence with one of her faithful and loving daughters and caregiver Beretta Robertson at her bedside holding her hands.

She was born on April 18, 1928, to the late Henry Keller, Sr. and the late Lottie Ford Keller in Raynor, Virginia Isle of Wight County. She was born the tenth child of eleven siblings.

Mildred was educated in Isle of Wight Training School. She was married in 1955 to the late Valru Buck Robertson. She was employed by Smithfield Packing Company of Smithfield Virginia and Crocker Brothers of Central Hill.

She became a homemaker by choice, where she lovingly nurtured her children and provided a loving and caring environment in the home.

She believed in discipline and the rod of correction. Teaching her children God’s way and encouraging them to live accordingly to His principles.

Mildred was a Christian and a strong believer in Jesus Christ. She was a member of Mt Sinai Baptist Church and later became a member of Bibleway Mission Church until her death. Her godly behavior was demonstrated daily, inside and outside of the home.

She was truly a virtuous woman. She loved the Lord with all her heart, soul and mind. Her devotion represents the value of a Godly woman of great worth, characterized by wisdom, courage, generosity, patience, diligence, compassion, and a strong moral character, whose actions brought honor and blessings to her family and to the community.

Mildred read her Bible several times throughout the day and night. One of her favorite Bible verses: Psalm 139:14, I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knows right well. When asked how she was doing her response would be “I am fearfully and wonderfully made”. She often shared how as a youth she and her family would walk to Mount Olivet Holiness Church with her mother (Lottie Keller) and learned values from her mom and early missionary training just by being around her mother.

Mildred was a great cook, and she loved to cook and was a self taught seamstress and hair dresser . One of the best. Her rice puddings, banana puddings and pies were some of the family favorites. Roast beef just melted in your mouth seasoned to perfection. She loved canning fruits and vegetable and pickles. She loved sewing.

She loved plants and her flower gardens. Whatever she put her hands to do, it was done well. She was a babysitter to many of the community children.

Mildred loved her dear husband. She loved her children.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her son Earl M. Keller, her daughter, Valerie R. Joyner, brothers: Junious, James, Ruffin, Vernon, Henry, Bobby and Johnnie Keller and her sisters, Annie Fulgham, Lillian Etheridge and Priscilla Keller, her great grandchild, Parish Ricks.

Mildred is survived by her beloved daughters who loved and cherished her and were also her caregivers: Bettye A. Keller, Washington, DC, Deborah R. Spratley (Joseph, Jr.), Smithfield, Virginia, Kim R. Townsend (Darrell), Carrollton, Va, Joan B. Robertson, Windsor, Virginia, Beretta S. Robertson, Windsor, Virginia and Lisa R. Joyner, Carrollton, Virginia; loving brother, Alexander Keller, New York. Her dearly loved grandchildren/great grandchildren/great great-grandchildren: Wilton Keller/son (Cynthia); Hevyn and Devyn Keller; DeAndre Eddy (Denise); Saniya [expecting], DeAndre Jr, Jae and Valru; Shirnet Eddy, Quinn Davis; Dwayne R. Joyner, Damien, Chloe, Wesley, Corwin; Nicholas Joyner (Katie), Breanna [Ezekiel], Kaylee, Chyanne, Destiny, Myla and Alex; Latrece Joyner, Sean Joyner; Demetrius Joyner, Ariel Joyner; Lanese Joyner, Iyana Artis; Joey Spratley, Santy’anna Hall. Along with and a host of loving nieces and nephews; Larry Keller, Donald Hagins, James Etheridge, Morris Etheridge and Bert Etheridge- some who went over and above the call of duty to serve their auntie, two sons in laws; Ira Joyner and James Eddy, cousins and a great host of Brothers and Sisters in Christ and friends.

On Thursday, April 10, 2025 viewing will take place from 3-6pm at the Chapel. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 12:00pm Friday, April 11, 2025 at Shivers Funeral Chapel. Interment will follow in Emmanuel Baptist Church Cemetery 11150 Emmanuel Church Road, Smithfield, VA 23430. Please keep the Keller-Robertson family in your prayers.