Who is Athey and Della Keith from Jayber Crow: A Novel and what is their importance? Jayber_Crow English & Literature Athey and Della Keith | Jayber Crow: A Novel

The parents of Jayber's beloved Mattie, the Keiths are practical, hard-working folks who take nothing for granted. They always have room to provide for the future, and they are prepared for what life might bring. They are prosperous farmers in Port William, but are conservative and not prideful. They have only one child, Mattie, and they run an organized, productive, and highly esteemed farming operation.

As they grow older and Athey suffers with a lame leg, they realize that they must move from their farm. Della and Athey know that their son-in-law is not a practical or effective farmer, and without speaking of their disapproval of Troy, they leave their property to their daughter only. When they move to a smaller piece of property, Athey continues to "piddle," using his mules and old ways of farming, and teaching his grandson what he knows.