George LaVern Keller

George LaVern Keller, 73, of Morganton, NC died Friday, July 31, 2015.  Born December 6, 1941 in Burke County, NC, he was a son of Emma Elizabeth Osborne Keller of Morganton and the late George Washington Keller.   LaVern graduated from Morganton High School in 1961.  He was an active and devoted member of Bethel Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon, Sunday school teacher, sound system technician, and in numerous other positions.   His hobby was restoring older model cars including a Chevelle and a Willys Jeep.  LaVern was an avid hunter and fisherman, enjoyed fixing things for his family and friends, and helping others was his passion.

In addition to his mother, LaVern is survived by his wife, Gloria Perkins Keller of the home; children, Dennis Keller and wife, Lee,  and Teresa Keller Beach and husband, Maurice, all of Morganton; grandchildren, Melina and Allison Keller, and Clay and Hayden Beach; step-granddaughter, Megan Tallent; sisters, Vera Lail of Conover, NC, Marie Woods and husband, Donald, and Wanda Setzer, all of Morganton; an aunt, Dorothy Roark; an uncle, Rev. Carl Osborne; and a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his father, LaVern was preceded in death by a brother, Bill Keller; and sisters, Betty Hart and Mary Helen Ollis.

The family will receive friends Thursday, August 6, 2015 from 5:00 until 7:00 pm at Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center. The funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm, Friday, August 7 at Bethel Baptist Church with the Reverends Gary Cline and J. R. Robbins officiating.  Burial will follow at Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery with military honors by the North Carolina National Guard and the Caldwell County Veterans Honor Guard.  Memorial contributions may be made to Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 3861 Pax Hill Rd., Morganton, NC 28655.