Bobbie Jo Keller

Ms. Bobbie Jo Keller, age 74 of Hartwell, Georgia, entered her eternal rest on Thursday, January 25, 2024.

Bobbie J. Gaines Keller was born November 17, 1949 in Hart County to the late Mr. Wrelford Gaines and Robbie Joe Alexander. She was raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. She was affectionately known as “BJ.”

BJ attended parochial school at St. Francis de Sales in Cincinnati where she earned her high school diploma. She went on to further her education at the University of Cincinnati. BJ eventually moved to Long Island, New York to work for Gurney’s Resorts where worked for many years. BJ, eventually, moved to Las Vegas where she worked for the Frontier Hotel and Casino as a Blackjack Dealer. It was in Las Vegas where she met the love of her life, Rick Keller. BJ and Rick got married during the 1970s. BJ would soon move to Anderson, South Carolina to help her mother operate the family business during the 1980s.

BJ’s passion for gambling re-emerged while in Anderson, South Carolina; calling numbers for many bingo establishments throughout the Upstate of South Carolina. She is well known in the bingo community as the “BJ the Bingo Lady.” BJ worked and frequented bingo establishments until her health declined.

BJ was the oldest of nine children; preceding her in death are her parents; brothers, Kevin Gaines and Larry D. Gaines and sisters, Diane Gaines and Barbara Gaines.

BJ leaves to cherish her memories her brothers, Kenny Mattox of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Eugene Gaines of Cincinnati, Ohio, Horace Alexander, Jr. of Anderson, South Carolina and Willie Moore, Jr. of Anderson, South Carolina; Sisters, Phyllis E. Gaines and Olethia L. “Penny” Fleming Gaines; brother-in-law, Paul Fleming of Greenville, South Carolina; Erick Bradshaw, Sr. and Johnny Robinson, whom she considered brothers. Antoinette Wills & Becky Cartwright of Cincinnati, Ohio that she considered as sisters. 

Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 1, 2024, from 1:00 - 4:00pm, located at Mack's Funeral Home - Hartwell Chapel. 

Visitation will be held on Friday, February 2, 2024, from 1:00 - 4:00pm, located at Marcus D. Brown Funeral Home - Anderson, South Carolina. 

Please continue to keep the Keller family in your thoughts and prayers. www.macksfuneralhome.com. (706) 283-4566.

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