Betty Jean “Becky” McKeehan, a woman of resilience, creativity, and the spirit of adventure, passed away peacefully on June 13, 2026, in Chesapeake, VA, at the age of 90. Born on November 13, 1935, in Illinois, Becky lived a life that was as colorful and dynamic as the circus she grew up in.

Becky’s early years were spent amidst the vibrant and lively world of a traveling circus, where her father, Louis Gordon, was a barker for the side shows and her mother, Myrtle (Aldridge) Gordon, ran various booths. The daughter of this extraordinary couple, Becky experienced the magic of circus life firsthand, living for several years in a circus wagon as the family traveled on railways across America. This unique upbringing instilled in her a sense of wonder and adaptability that she carried throughout her life.

When Becky’s school days began, she was one of several “Bettys” in her class. To distinguish herself, she embraced the nickname “Becky,” which became her lifelong moniker. She excelled at San Jacinto High School in Houston, TX, where she was a twirler on the drill team, proudly displaying her flair and agility.

Her father later became the manager of Playland Park in Houston, Texas, where Becky worked in various booths, weaving her energetic spirit into the fabric of park life. As Playland Park gave way to the construction of Astro World, Becky’s career path shifted toward more traditional roles. She took on various clerical and office jobs before finding her calling as a mixologist and bartender at a country club, where her vivacious personality and warm smile never failed to light up a room.

Becky’s creativity extended beyond her professional life. She was a talented crafter with an early emphasis on “toll” painting, transforming everyday items like baby bonnets, Christmas ornaments, tape dispensers, and staplers into works of art. Her sewing skills were equally remarkable, and she often sold her creations at craft shows, sharing her artistic vision with the community.

Though raised in the Jewish faith, Becky later found her spiritual home in Christianity, embodying a journey of personal growth and transformation.

Preceded in death by her beloved husband, Oliver P. McKeehan, daughter, Serena Marie Summers, and her parents, Louis and Myrtle Gordon, Becky leaves behind a legacy of love and resilience. She is survived by her cherished children: Perry A. Summers (Deborah “Deb”) and Sheryl “Sheri” Hunt (Hilton), five grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren, all of whom carry forward her spirit of joy and creativity.

Becky McKeehan’s life was a testament to the power of imagination and the strength of the human spirit. She will be fondly remembered and deeply missed by all who knew her.