Sidney Roscoe Kean

Sidney R. Kean, age 81, of the Claxton Community, made his journey home on Saturday, September 23, 2017, surrounded by his loving family.  He was of the Baptist faith.  He was a native of Fort Payne, Alabama and had been a resident of McMinn County since 1960.  He was a kind and gentle soul who made his family proud and extended his kindness to everyone he met.

Sidney was a diehard Yankees baseball fan and an avid Alabama football fan, and he loved supporting and being involved with women’s slow pitch softball.  He found peace in nature enjoying hummingbirds and goldfinch; and he was a very talented bass guitar player and spent many years playing country and gospel music, and forming lifelong bonds with other musicians and their families.

He was employed from 1960 until 1962 at Mountain Hosiery Mill as a maintenance foreman.  After the closing of the mill, he joined the staff at the Englewood Telephone Company as the Equipment Manager, performing installation and repair work.  In 1972, Sidney began working at WENR Radio Station as an on the air personality, affectionately known as “Uncle Sid”.  He completed his time in the work force as an employee of McKinney Excavating Company, and retiring in December 1993.

Sidney was preceded in death by his parents, Pearl Gunter Kean and Lyda Shankles Kean; two sisters, Lessie Miller (Leonard) and Nellie Jo Kean; two brothers, CL Kean (Maxine) and Oscar Kean (Finnie); one brother-in-law, Bruce McKinney; three nephews, Jimmy, Charles, and Danny Kean; two nieces, Juanita Pace and Andrea McKinney; one great nephew, Joey Kean; father and mother-in-law, Charlie and Sylvania Owens; one sister-in-law, Evon Etheridge (Brian); brothers-in-law, Thurman Owens, Joe Owens (JoAnn) and Johnny Owens, all of Alabama.

Survivors include his loving wife, Mary Sue Owens Kean, of 62 wonderful years. They would have celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary on October 16, 2017; daughters, Judith Ann Kean, an amazing caregiver who never left her dad’s side during his illness; Angela Beth Kean, who shares her dad’s love for softball, music, and his blue eyes; sister-in law, Christine Bethune (Joe).  Also surviving are his extended family members, Jan Wilson, Susan Miller, Thomas Grady, Alex and Aaron Miller.  Six nieces, Joy Kelley, Wanda Bryan (Kenneth), Sandy Etheridge, Kim Guffey (Bryan), Donna Poe (Quinton); Deborah Dalton (Wayne); six nephews, Mike Kean (Debra), Randy Miller (Carolynn), Mike Owens (Tammie), Rodney Owens, James Owens, Charles Owens (Cheryl), and several great nieces and nephews; God-son, Ray Marshall and God-daughter Kay Harper.  Sidney had a special bond with his buddy, Rusty Stiles, who enjoyed following the music of the Country Sounds. 

Sidney’s love and kindness was not only shown to humans, but to his precious fur babies, Millie, Gracie, Mae, Gypsy, and Dobby.

A celebration of Sidney’s life will be held Saturday, October 7, 2017 at 3:00 p.m. in the Senior Citizens Center of Athens with Dr. Jimmy McCarter & Rev. Byron Talbot officiating. 

In lieu of flowers, the family ask that you please make a donation to a local charity of your choice in Sidney’s name.

The gathering of family & friends will begin at 2:00 p.m. prior to the service, at the Senior Citizens Center as well.

For online condolences, please visit our website at www.serenityfunerals.com

Serenity Funeral Home & Cremation Center of Etowah is in charge of the arrangements.