Velma Ruth Cricket (Frampton) Keller, 95, widow of John Franklin Keller, passed away April 14, 2016 at Birch Gardens in Fishersville, surrounded by her children and some of the wonderful caregivers that she loved and who loved her.
Mrs. Keller was born on March 15, 1921, in Apollo, PA to William C. and Carrie B. (Cooper) Frampton.
Mrs. Keller was a proud veteran of the U.S. Marine Corp, serving her country during World War II. She was stationed in California, where she met and married her late husband in 1945.
Cricket was a member of Linden Heights Baptist Church. For many years she was employed by F. W. Woolworth as a waitress at their lunch counter, both downtown and at the Staunton Mall, until her retirement in 1978. During that time she and her customers formed a close relationship. Many of those customers recognized her in later years as the waitress at the dime store.
In addition to her parents, Cricket was predeceased by her husband John; brothers, Clifford, Leland, Ronald and Frank Frampton; and sisters, Jane Swartley and Folsum Foster.
Surviving are three daughters, Kathleen Banks and husband, Dorval, of Staunton, Karen Fridley and husband, J.P., of Churchville, and Joni Root and husband, Robin, of Stuarts Draft; one son Kenton Lane Keller, Sr., and wife, Susan, of Charleston, S.C; one sister, Beryl Harley of Apollo, PA; six grandsons, Kenton Keller, Jr., Kevin Fridley, Jonathan Keller, Kurtis Fridley, Joshua Root and Justin Root; great grandchildren, Skyler Fridley, Caleb Keller, Tatum Fridley, Noah Keller and Olivia Keller, as well as a number of nieces of nephews.
The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 6:00 pm on Sunday, April 17, 2016 in Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory.
A Celebration of Life will be conducted 10:00 am Monday, April 18, 2016, in the Coffman Funeral Home Chapel by Mrs. Kellers son.
Burial will follow in Oaklawn Memory Gardens.
Active pallbearers will be Mrs. Kellers grandsons.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to Augusta Health Hospice of the Shenandoah, PO Box 1000, Fishersville, VA 22939.
The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to the staff of Birch Gardens for their loving and compassionate care of Mrs. Keller during her stay there.
Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory, 230 Frontier Drive is in charge of her arrangements.