Bessie Ann "BA" Keve

Bessie Ann (BA) Colley James Keve passed away peacefully at Rivers Walk Assisted Living in Dayton, Washington, on May 20, 2025. She was born on October 31, 1932, at the old St. Mary's Hospital in Walla Walla, the daughter of Richard Lawrence Colley and Edna Ragsdale Colley.

BA attended local schools and graduated from Walla Walla High School (Wa-Hi) in 1950. After college, she married Clark James of Dayton on November 20, 1952, in Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii, while he was stationed at Hickam Air Force Base. Together, they raised three children: Mark, Randy, and Laurie. Clark passed away in 1983.

For 25 years, BA worked as a Special Education Secretary for the Dayton School District and Educational Service District #123, retiring in 1992.

On October 12, 1984, she married Ivan Keve in Waitsburg. They shared a love for travel and were actively involved in their community. Ivan preceded her in death in 2019.

A woman of deep faith, BA was a member of the First Christian Church in both Walla Walla and Dayton, where she taught Sunday School for 10 years while raising her children. She was also active in St. Mark's Catholic Church in Waitsburg during her marriage to Ivan.

BA and Clark served as 4-H leaders for 16 years. In the early 1970s, she initiated a newspaper recycling program to help Columbia County 4-H members offset camp fees. She was a past member of the Columbia County CowBelles, Odako, St. Mark's Altar Society, and the American Legion Auxiliary. In 2018, she was honored with the Waitsburg Commercial Club Community Service Award.

Known for her warm, welcoming smile and affectionately nicknamed the "Queen of Halloween," BA found her greatest joy in time spent with family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; stepfather, Floyd Estep; husbands, Clark James and Ivan Keve; sons, Mark and Randy James; brothers, Ed, Ben, Harold, Warren, Bob, and Paul Colley; and sisters, Eunice Blessinger, Nadine West, and Beatrice Colley.

She is survived by her daughter, Laurie Malecha (Ron); daughters-in-law, Linda James and Terri James; grandchildren, Krysten Mabe (Josh), Brian James (Hannah), Miranda Bowen (Josh), Ashley Hatfield (Charlie), Andrew James (Shannon), Cassie McCook (Dan), and Ryan Malecha (Erin); and 15 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by Ivan's children, JK Keve (Terri) and Jani Jansen (Joe), and their families.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the caring staff at Rivers Walk, Walla Walla Odd Fellows, and Dayton General; to Sue Bell and Greg Brownell; and all who visited or sent uplifting cards during BA's time in assisted living. They are especially grateful to those who joined in celebrating her 90th birthday in 2022.

A private family service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Roland & Betty Schirman 4-H Camp Fund or a charity of choice through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W Alder St, Walla Walla, WA 99362. Friends and family are invited to sign the online guestbook at http://www.herringgroseclose.com.