Barbara Ann Keener

Barbara Ann Keener, 78, of Hickory went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at her residence. Born December 13th, 1947 she was the daughter of the late Charles and Maude Smith. Barbara was a wonderful mother, grandmother and sister.

An Asheville native, she and her first husband, Ted, had two sons and moved to Florida after he retired from the Navy. They returned to Asheville in 1985. After Ted passed away in 1986, she and her sons eventually moved to the Hickory area after meeting her second husband, Arnold. She proudly earned her Associate Degree in 1997 in Medical Office Administration. Her only grandchild was born in 2003, whom she dearly loved, and her oldest son, Ted passed away in 2011. Barbara and Arnold lived in the mnountain area until his death in 2017 and she continued living there until she passed.

Her son, Jeffrey Lawson (Julie); her sisters, Louise Stewart, Bobbie Jean Clark, Linda Swayngim and Connie Knight; her grandson, Justice Lawson and numerous nieces and nephews survive her.

In addition to her parents, her husband, Ted Lawson Sr. her second husband, Arnold Keener; her son, Ted Lawson Jr.; her sisters, Geraldine McClure and Carolyn Crowder; and her brothers, Calvin Smith and James Smith preceded her in death.

No services are planned at this time.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NLT

God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.

Please sign the online guestbook on the Memorial Wall at www.jenkinsfuneralhome.net. The Keener family has entrusted arrangements to Jenkins Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Newton 828-464-1555.