Leah Dungan Keith

LEAH DUNGAN KEITH died peacefully on Jan. 24, 2015 surrounded by her loving family and caregivers. She was born May 12, 1927 to William T. Dungan and Frances Rose Dungan. She was the fourth generation of her family to reside in Little Rock. Her great-grandparents Judge U.M. Rose and Margaret T. Rose moved to Little Rock in 1865 where they became important community leaders while raising their nine children. Leah attended Little Rock public schools through the tenth grade. In 1942, her family moved to Mobile, Ala. when her father was reassigned to Brookley Air Force base. Leah then attended Gulf Park By-the-Sea School in Gulfport, Miss. and graduated in June 1944, as class valedictorian. Upon graduation, she attended Duke University. Missing family and friends she returned home and transferred to the University of Arkansas in 1946. She became a dedicated member of Pi Beta Phi sorority, an organization that she loved and supported throughout her lifetime. Her favorite colors, burgundy and silver blue, were the signatory Pi Phi colors. 1948 was a big year. Leah graduated from the University of Arkansas but, more importantly, during a very busy social season making her debut, Leah met her great love, Sandy Keith. Although an escort for one of her best friends, the ever-persistent Mr. Keith had eyes only for one debutante, the lovely Leah. They wed Nov. 24, 1948 and a new life, which would span over 60 years, began. During her long life, Leah's priorities were evident: faith, family, friendships, and a commitment to service. In all she excelled. As charter members of Second Presbyterian Church in 1882, Leah's family had a long history of dedication to and support for the church and its mission. To no one's surprise, Leah devotedly carried on this tradition. Ordained a deacon in 1982, she served the church in a variety of leadership positions. In 1998 she became a Lifetime Honorary Member of the Presbyterian Women, Presbyterian Church, USA. Perhaps her greatest achievement is one that she herself was unaware. Church officials believe that Leah was the longest continuous member of the church congregation. Leah also served on the board of the Ada Thompson Home and in 1976 was instrumental in transitioning eleven remaining residents to their new home at Presbyterian Village. She then was appointed to the Presbyterian Village Board, which provided oversight of the Thompson Trust that cared for the residents until the last one passed in 1991. During her long tenure in Junior League of Little Rock, Leah served in a variety of leadership roles, most notably chairmanship of the Bargain Box. Beginning as a $3,000 venture in 1962, the Bargain Box opened with great success and for 15 years was the major source of revenue for the League's community trust fund. Years later she would describe her relationship with the League as being "family, a sense of community and a place to belong." In addition to the lifetime friendships she developed, she often commented on how satisfying it was to be working side by side with close friends sharing the common goal of helping others. When asked about her most fulfilling role, she would undoubtedly answer "wife and mother." She worked tirelessly caring for her husband and three children and assumed every conceivable responsibility from Cub Scout leader to class parent to cotillion chauffer to even beer cart driver for LRCC golf tournaments. She made all the tasks look easy. She did set high goals and standards, but never voiced criticism or disappointment. Moreover, she was unrelenting in her care and compassion for family and friends. Everyone was made to feel special. After her children had grown and moved to different parts of the country, she still remained a vibrant and indispensable part of their lives and routines. Like clockwork before Church every Sunday, she called her children and a two-hour gabfest ensued. During those conversations all her virtues were evident: compassionate listener, concerned matriarch, wise counselor, devoted spouse, and proud parent and grandparent. In her final years she struggled with her health, but was never heard to complain. Indeed, in all her days she was only seen to shed tears when she was separated from family and friends…a testament to what she truly held dear. Leah was preceded in death by her parents, William T. Dungan and Frances Rose Dungan and her brother, Dr. W. T. Dungan and by her husband of 60 years, Alexander "Sandy" Keith. Leah is survived by her three children, Alex Keith, Fran Hanafin and Leah Keith in addition to her six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. A memorial service to celebrate Leah's life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016 at Second Presbyterian Church. A private burial will be held at Oakland Cemetery. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.