Margaret Keister, former manager of Brill Title Company in West Plains, received an honorary Associate of Arts in General Studies degree from Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP).

The honorary degree was presented by Chancellor Dennis Lancaster during commencement ceremonies Saturday, May 11, at the West Plains Civic Center.

This is the 13th year an honorary degree has been bestowed by the university. It is designed to recognize extraordinary individuals who have given a substantial part of their lives to serving others and/or who have distinguished themselves, university officials said.

It also is designed to establish a public association between MSU-WP and such exceptional men and women, thereby providing testimony to the values and quality of two-year institutions, officials added.

“I’ve known Margaret all my life, and I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this honor,” said MSU-WP Chancellor Dennis Lancaster. “Whether to her family, to her employer, to her customers or to her community, Margaret has given of herself with such unselfishness, vigor, intelligence, compassion and care. She’s one of my heroes, and I’m pleased that our Honorary Degree is going to her this year.”

More about Keister

At the age of 18 while still in high school, Keister began her 67-year career at the A.W. Landis law office and Kellett-Landis Abstract Company. Although ownership and the name of the business changed over the decades to Brill Title Company, Keister has remained with the firm and become well known in the region for her skill and broad range of knowledge in the title industry. She was a member of the Missouri Land Title Association for many years and received a 50-year certificate from the association.

When Keister first began working for Landis, the job requirements included typing and shorthand. During her time at the company, she transitioned from typist, legal secretary, title insurance professional and business manager in a career that spanned the transition from abstracts to title insurance and typewriters to computers.

Not long after starting her job in 1957, she worked on an abstract for a farm located in the New Liberty area of Howell County and discovered that the property had ties to her paternal grandmother’s, Sarah F. Hopkins Summers, family. Through her work on that abstract, detailing the history of a piece of property that was tied to her own family’s history, Keister realized she had found her career.

She also met her husband, Phil, through her work at the title company, though it was one of her college classmates who provided their formal introduction several weeks later. Phil Keister often told the story of how he went to Kellett-Landis in 1970 looking for the deed to the property he had purchased when he moved to West Plains. No one in the office was able to help him until someone “went to get Margaret,” who found the deed after making a few phone calls. The Keisters were married in 1971 and remained together until Phil’s death in 2005.

While working for Kellett-Landis, Keister, who had graduated as valedictorian of her graduating class in 1957, attended classes at the SMSU Residence Center, now known as MSU-WP. She earned a total of 84 credit hours by taking coursework in sociology, psychology, math, geography, world history, economics, physical education and Spanish.

Though she never obtained a degree, she encouraged both of her daughters to pursue their own degrees through MSU by beginning their collegiate careers at MSU-WP before transferring to the Springfield campus to complete them. Her youngest daughter went on to obtain a Master of Science from MSU.

A life of service

From childhood, Keister participated in 4-H, and devoted decades of service to the Howell County 4-H Association, using her vacation time to serve as a camp counselor. Through her membership, she became involved with the University of Missouri Extension Council, which sponsors 4-H, and served on its board.

She also is a life-long supporter of Hammond Mill Camp, which provided opportunities for youth through the Hammond Mill, White Oak and DOW (Douglas, Ozark and Wright Counties) youth camps. At various times, she served as secretary and treasurer on both boards. She served as treasurer of the Hammond Mill Camp board for more than 30 years.

Keister also was an active member of the Business and Professional Women’s (BPW) Club for many years, serving in the roles of secretary and president. She helped organize and conduct the club’s annual Little Miss Merry Christmas fundraiser, the annual BPW Senior Tea and assisted with the club’s annual scholarship program.

Representing the title company, Keister joined the Greater West Plains Area Chamber of Commerce and was the first woman to hold the office of president with the organization. She also served on the West Plains United Way board and participated in local United Way fundraising efforts.

Keister also has been very active in the churches she has attended. The Summers Union Church was a non-denominational church made up of Keister’s family members and several neighboring families. Keister taught Sunday school there until the church closed. She then began attending the First Church of God in West Plains where she has served on the Board of Trustees, Church Council and as a Sunday school teacher.

At age 84, Keister continues to work for Brill Title Company. Her approach to retirement has been cautious, officially changing to a four-day work week several years after she celebrated 60 years of employment with the company and reducing her hours to three days per week after celebrating her 84th birthday in December 2023.

By awarding Keister an honorary degree, university officials said they are recognizing her professional and personal achievements, noting her tireless devotion, energy and talent to the title company and the community have highlighted her champion attitude toward education as a whole.