Anita Lou Keeling

Anita Lou Keeling, of Niangua, MO, was born on August 31, 1943 in Springfield, MO, to Richard and Dorothy (Snodgrass) Sowers. She departed this life on July 27, 2026, in Mercy Hospital, Springfield, at the age of 82.

Anita served in the United States Army. She was an ordained minister. Anita loved serving people and advocating for them. Anita was a leader in community organizations wherever she lived. She was a board member of Niangua Senior Community Complex and had served as director of the Welcome Wagon in Batesville, AR. She was a history buff and was an active member of the Webster County and Dallas County Historical Societies. She was also a member of the Marshfield Writers Club. She liked writing stories and was working on writing a book. Anita loved anything to do with flowers and birds.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her daughter, Karen Ann Basinger; her former husband, Wilford “Bill” Jackson Keeling, Sr.; and one brother, Jerry Sowers.

Anita is survived by her daughter, Teresa Keeling of Niangua; siblings, Neal (Kathy) Sowers, Donna Sowers Webb, Tom (Jenny) Sowers, Stan (Jean) Sowers; her granddog, Maggie; and several nieces and nephews.

Celebration of Life Services for Anita Keeling will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 30, 2026, at Fraker Funeral Home, Inc., Marshfield.

Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at the funeral home.

Interment will be in Thorpe Cemetery, Elkland.

For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the family and left in care of Fraker Funeral Home, Inc., P.O. Box 85, Marshfield, MO, 65706.