Remembering Hope Keller

Donate to Project Rescue in memory of Hope Keller

Hope's beautiful smile, raspy voice, precious giggles, and willingness to love, immediately grabbed the hearts and changed the lives of those who met her. She was thrilled with the simplest, yet, most meaningful things of life (like driving home with her daddy on the "wee hill" and playing at the pool. Her mommy could make her laugh until she lost all control in a fit of giggles; and she and her sissy, Brianna, had a special handshake they always did together. She loved stopping for doughnuts, riding the golf cart to Momo Grant's house, going to the park, and playing in her baby doll room at at Josie Roloph's ("Mimi's"). She enjoyed time with her children's church teachers Chrissy and Anna Lisa Holmes. Hope loved her family and being on the water, and she spent her last week surrounded by both as she played with her sister and cousins from sun up to sun down out on the basin.

Hope always had a positive attitude. Even when things were unpleasant you'd hear her little voice pipe up saying, "It's not so bad." All the noisy things of life that we devote so much energy, time, and effort to became muted when we were in Hope's presence. Every minute of her life was a celebration, and that is why her daddy, mommy, and sister have chosen to make August 26, 2009 a "Celebration of Life" in honor of Hope. We celebrate the four years we were blessed to have with her and we celebrate that she is now in her real home, beginning her real life with the Lord.

One of Hope's favorite games was hide and seek; amusingly, she would always tell you ahead of time where she was hiding. Hope has no doubt already scoped out the best hiding places in heaven and is just waiting for the rest of us to get there so she can pop out and say, "I'm right here!," with the smiling approval of her great-grandparents Irvin and Alma Bailey, and Rev. John Sowell.

Hope is survived by her mother Shana Bailey Keller, her father David Mark Keller, her big sister Brianna Keller, and her half-sisters: Chloe and Stella. Her maternal grandparents Anthony and Gloria Bailey, and Hugh and Martha Hinson. Her paternal grandparents John Calver, and Christine and Jim Keller. Her maternal aunt LaDonna Bailey-Hogeland, her uncle Allen Bailey Felts, and her cousins: Kristen, Evan, and Lauren. Her paternal uncles Andrew and Christopher, and her aunts Julie, Susan, and Angie. Her maternal great-grandparents Sara Hinson, Vernell (Susie) Sowell, and Rev. Curtis and Bonnie Grant. And her Mimi (Josie Roloph).

In lieu of flowers, an account has been set up for donations with Project Rescue's Home of Hope in memory of Hope Keller. Donate to Project Rescue in memory of Hope Keller.

The family would also like to thank all the doctors and nurses of Sacred Heart Hospital Intensive Care Unit for their tireless and compassionate care of Hope and her family. You were all a great blessing to us! Also, thank you to Mark Hollinghead and the nurse who immediately helped at the accident scene.