Obituary of Elsie Keller Shaver

ELSIE MAE KELLER SHAVER, 84, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, August 12, 2015. She was the oldest child of J.J. and Texie Keller of Keysville, VA. A Charlotte County native, Elsie was born on July 29, 1931. As a young girl she loved caring for and riding her beautiful horse "Flash". Mrs. Shaver was musically talented and performed live on Crewe, VA radio station WSVS-AM in the 1940s, playing guitar and singing. She once worked an entire summer in the family's tobacco fields to earn the money to purchase an alto saxophone, which she played in the Randolph-Henry High School Band, graduating in 1948. Elsie married Harley W. Shaver in 1952, and the couple celebrated 57 years of wedlock before his death in 2009. Mrs. Shaver bravely battled leukemia the last 9 years of her life, displaying great strength and courage. During this time, she completed an autobiography entitled "My Story", which included many touching and humorous memories of a life well-lived. Always a devoted wife and loving mother, Mrs. Shaver leaves behind her 2 children, son Gary and daughter Dianne. Other survivors include Elsie's 3 brothers, her sister, and a host of nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held on Friday, August 21, 2015 at 7 pm at Calvary Baptist Church, 17001 Jeff Davis Highway. Burial will be on September 9, 2015 at 9 a.m. in Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the church or the American Cancer Society is suggested.