[Source: The Phoenix. 1895. Yearbook of Cumberland University, Lebanon, Tennessee, pages 36-37]

[Source: The Phoenix. 1895. Yearbook of Cumberland University, Lebanon, Tennessee, pages 88-89]

[Source: The Phoenix. 1895. Yearbook of Cumberland University, Lebanon, Tennessee, pages 126-127]

[Source: The Phoenix. 1895. Yearbook of Cumberland University, Lebanon, Tennessee, pages 138-139]

[Source: The Phoenix. 1896. Yearbook of Cumberland University, Lebanon, Tennessee, page 80]

[Source: The Phoenix. 1897. Yearbook of Cumberland University, Lebanon, Tennessee, page 52

[Source: The Phoenix. 1897. Yearbook of Cumberland University, Lebanon, Tennessee, page 94]

[Source: The Phoenix. 1897. Yearbook of Cumberland University, Lebanon, Tennessee, pages 104-105]

R. L. Keathly, A.M., President
(Cumberland University and Bethel College.)
Mathematics, History, Political Philosophy.
[Source: Seventy-Third Annual announcement of Bethel College with Courses of Study for 1921-1922, page 4]

R. L. Keathly, A.M., President
(Cumberland University and Bethel College.)
Mathematics, History, Political Economy.
[Source: Seventy-Fourth Annual Announcement of Bethel College with Courses of Study for 1922-1923, page 5]

Rev. Robert L. Keathley was born in Rutherford, Tenn., September 22, 1870; died in Bell Buckle, Tenn., March 25, 1926; aged 55 years, 7 months and 3 days.

Brother Keathley professed religion and united with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church when a small boy. About 1892 he placed himself under the care of Obion Presbytery as a candidate for the ministry. In 1893 he entered the preparatory department of Cumberland University. He was a close student, and so rapid was his advancement that he was graduated with honors in 1898 in the A.B. degree. In 1917 he took his A.M. degree from Bethel College.

In 1899 Brother Keathley was married to Miss Olive Belt. To them were born three children, two of whom survive the father; one, the only girl, having preceded him to that better land. One of the sons, now living, is Rev. Peel Keathley, teacher of mathematics and assistant principal of the school at Lenoir City, Tenn., and the beloved pastor of the church at that place; while the younger, Belt Keathley, is just completing, his school work, and is now an elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Both of these boys stand as a fitting recognition of the happy influence of a Christian home.

Brother Keathley has held important pulpits in Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri and Arkansas, and has done valuable evangelistic service in other states. While a preacher, and eminently fitted for one, Brother Keathley was also a teacher of recognized ability. One of his most important services rendered in this capacity, possibly, was his presidency of Bethel College, at McKenzie, Tenn.--a position which he held with fidelity and honor from 1921 to 1923. He gave up this work to become pastor of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Bell Buckle, Tenn., where he has since lived, constantly engaged in preaching and teaching until, in the midst of labor, he was summoned to refreshments above.

Brother Keathley was, from early manhood, a Mason, keeping through all the years his membership in the lodge at Rutherford, Tenn., where he first joined. He squared his life by its principles and honored its precepts by his honesty. He was also a member of the Odd Fellows and the K. of P.

His labors here are done; he rests from life's toils. We think, when the call came, he was conscious of life's labors well done. When the end came, he went, not as goes the captive to his cell, but like a tired, faithful soldier, having conquered the enemy, "wraps the draperies of his couch about him and lies down to pleasant dreams."
                                                                                                             D. W. Fooks.
  Nashville, Tenn.
[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, April 8, 1926, page 16]