Services Tuesday in N.C. for Keiley A. Banfield

0

Keiley A. Banfield of Aberdeen, N.C., died unexpectedly on April 18, 2018.

Keiley was born in Gloucester on Sept. 25, 1975. She was the daughter of Elizabeth (Fahey) Branch and James Branch. The family moved to Martha’s Vineyard when she was in first grade. She began riding horses at Pond View Farm, and that started her lifelong love of animals. She completed her bachelor’s of science in animal science at the University of Massachusetts.

During the summer of her junior year, she met her best friend and future husband, Jeff. After graduation she moved to Aberdeen, N.C., to be with him. They worked together every day, either grading, excavating, or raising cattle. Their cattle operation, known as JK Red Angus, became her passion. She traveled the country working with countless young people as their mentor.

She is survived by her husband, Jeff Banfield, her parents, Elizabeth and James Branch of Aberdeen, N.C., and a sister, Jessica Branch of Steamboat Springs, Colo.

Visitation will be Monday, April 23, from 6 pm to 8 pm at Boles Funeral Home in Southern Pines, N.C. A service will take place Tuesday, April 24, at 11 am, also at Boles Funeral Home. A celebration of life will follow at Tee Jay Farm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Caring Hearts for Canines, P.O. Box 1219, Southern Pines, NC 28388; or the North Carolina Agricultural Foundation (write “Livestock — Banfield” on the memo line), c/o Keiley Banfield Memorial, NC State University, Campus Box 7645, Raleigh, NC 27695, to support livestock activities in North Carolina, in honor of Keiley.

Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines is serving the family.