Neomia Christine Bybee Keller was born December 6, 1929 to C.J. and Nellie (Robinson) Bybee in Schell City, Missouri. She was the 4th of 10 children.
She, along with her family later moved to Collins, Missouri where she resided until her death on April 29, 2020 at the age of 90.
Neomia graduated from Collins High School in May of 1947 and started teaching in a one-room school in September of 1947 and did so for 3 years. She then taught at Collins and Weaubleau schools retiring in 1982
She continued her education in the summers and at night while teaching full time and raising a family. She received her associated degree from Southwest Baptist University in 1953, a bachelors degree from Southern Missouri State University in 1960 and a Masters Degree from Drury University in 1976.
On October 28, 1950 she was united in marriage to Bud Keller. This union was blessed with 3 children, Brenda Van Glider, Gary Dean Keller and Wanda Garver. They were married for over 63 years.
Neomia’s beliefs and passions were God, family, friends and teaching. In addition, she enjoyed fishing, reading, puzzles, traveling with family and puttering in her yard. After her retirement she worked at Keller Fur with Bud and enjoyed talking with people and meetings friends, both old and new.
She cherished her time with family and especially loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, even when they hid the flyswatter from her. Her favorite things in her later years were going fishing and spending time at the park with family.
Neomia was preceded in death by her son, Gary Dean Keller (In infancy); husband, Bud Keller (In 2014); sisters, Claribel Overton, Marilyn Henderson, Rena Payne, Reva Keller and Gloria McLaughlin; brothers, Henry Bybee, John Bybee and Kenneth Bybee and parents, C.J. and Nellie Bybee.
She is survived by her daughters, Brenda (Mike) Van Gilder and Wanda (Tommy) Garver; grandchildren, Trey Rutherford (fiancé, April Smalley), Sean (April) Rutherford, Shane Garver, Nick (Rebecca) Garver, Tony (Kristen) Garver, Earlene (Kevin) Pipes and Jason Garver; 18 great-grandchildren, 5 great-great grandchildren; sister, Bettie (Joe) Hunter; brothers and sisters-in-law, Dorothy Bybee, Leo Keller, Gene and Dorothy and Gerald Keller; nieces, nephews and many friends.
“Go rest high on that mountain, your work on earth is done.”