Letha Bell Maryland (1927-2022)
Mrs. Letha Bell Keyes Maryland transitioned from her earthly dwelling on Thursday, December 8, 2022 in Kinder, Louisiana at the age of ninety-five with love ones by her side. Graveside serevices were held Saturday, December 10, 2022 at 3:00 p.m officiated by her nephew Reverend Arnold K. Wykoff. She was the first born of eight children to the late Bailey and Julia (Sigust) Keyes on June 26, 1927 in Welsh, Louisiana. She gave her life to Christ at an early age. Being a prayer warrior, usher, Sunday School teacher/volunteer were just a few of her positions of labor for the Lord. Her main role as the matriarch of the Bailey Keyes lineage was loveing God, living a Crhristian life, holding us all responsible for our actions, and loving us through all.
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After graduatng from high school, she attended Grambling State University earning a Bachelors of Science degree in Education, and her Masters of Education degree from Texas Southern University. Mrs. Maryland, as she ws affectionately called, married Johnny "Son" Maryland. There were no children from this union, however, she loved her stepson James "Little Son" Maryland as her own as well as all of her nieces and nephews. Letha Bell taught in and retired from the field of education having enlightened the minds of second graders for numberous years in the Calcasieu Parish School Board system. She was also a proud member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated.
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Letha Bell Keyes Maryland is survived by her siblings Cora K. Alfred of Jennings, LA; Minister Yvonne K. Wykoff of Lake Charles, LA; Reverend Griffin B. Keyes of Beaumont, TX; Minister Herbert E. (Velma) Keyes of Fenton, LA; stepson James (Roe) Maryland of Grambling, LA; and host nieces and nephews (great and great-great). She is preceded in death by her parents, husband sisters Mable Lee K. Jones; Elva Ruth K. Hardeman; and Virginia Grace K. Wykoff.
James Charles Keys (1955-2022)
James Charles Keyes, Jr., born September 6, 1955, to James Charles Keyes, Sr. and Lula Mae Jackson died January 29, 2022 of natural causes. James Jr. was 66 years old. James "Lil Bro" was a member of Pleasant Green Baptist Church, a '74 graduated from Hebert High School, and served in the United States Navy immediately following graduation. Funeral Service was held on Saturday, February 12, 2022.
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Arrangements were coordinated at the direction of Calvary Mortuary. A Visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. Saturday at the Church. Calvary Mortuary, 409-838-0159; Obituary | James Charles Keyes, Jr. of Beaumont, Texas | Calvary Mortuary (calvarymortuarybeaumont.com).
Leona Mae (Keyes) Coleman (1937-2021)
Born the eleventh of nineteen children to Abraham Keyes and Lillian (Prudhomme) Keyes in Welsh, Louisiana. On December 19, 2021 God called this soldier to rest. Leona was 84.
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Growing up in Beaumont, Texas, Leona helped tend the neighborhood garden, baptized at the Neches River, played piano for the junior choir at Pleasant Green Baptist Church pastored by the late Reverend Theo Hayes, and earned her high school diploma from Hebert High School.
On March 5, 1956, Leona wed Charles Coleman, a neighborhood boy, and they celebrated over 65 years of marriage. The union produced a son Vernon, and a daughter Tracy.
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The family moved to Riverside, California about 1960 where Leona earned a Cosmetology degree from Riverside Community College. After graduating, Leona owned and operated Leona’s Beauty Shop for fourteen years before employing her beautician and musical skills at Tillman Riverside Mortuary for the more than 35 years.
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A member of the Riverside Community College Gospel Singers, Leona traveled to Sendai, Japan, and Rome where the singers performed for Pope John Paul II. Leona was a member of Second Baptist Church before relocating to Mount Vernon Baptist Church of Riverside, pastored by her husband, Reverend Charles Coleman.
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Leona leaves to cherish her memory – husband Charles, son Vernon, daughter Tracy; grandchildren Cecily and Kristen Coleman; great-grandchildren Jordin Julick, Persiah Martin, and Kadence Buchanan; sisters Joyce Broussard, Mary McKinney, and Carol Battles; three brothers-in-law and three sisters-in-law; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, Godchildren, and loving friends and family.
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Leona is preceded in death by her parents Abraham and Lillian Keyes; brothers Douglas, Collins, Adolph, Abraham, Jr., Leroy, Frank, Cleveland, Rolland, James; sisters Juanita, Alnetha, Beulah, Rosa.
Annette C.H. (Vallar) Russell (1944-2021)
Annette C.H. Russell, 77, of Marshall died on Wednesday, June 30, 2021, at Medilodge of Marshall following a short illness. Annette was born on June 20, 1944, in Beaumont, Texas to Jessie Vallar and Juanita M. Keyes. She married Glenn Russell and he preceded her in death. Annette was a live-in chef for the Upjohn Family and the Sister's of the Nazarene in Kalamazoo for many years. Prior to that she traveled throughout the United States, and with a love of cooking she would always find a job as a chef. Cooking was more than her career; it was a hobby she enjoyed. Annette would love to cook and share food with her family and friends. She also enjoyed fishing and traveling to the casinos. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Larry and Lori Vallar; grandchildren, Marcus (Gabby) Vallar and Kayla (Tawi Tekleab) Vallar; siblings, James, Fred, Mildred, Gertrude, Beverly, Robin, Michael, Larry, Ronald and Willie. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and siblings, Robert, and Jonnie Mae.
A memorial gathering will take place from 1-4pm on Saturday July 17, 2021 at the Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services 723 US Hwy 27 N Marshall MI 49068. Memorial contributions are requested to the Marshall Area Community Services (M.A.C.S.), 111 N Jefferson St, Marshall, MI 49068, https://www.marshallareacommunityservices.org/ . Memorials may be mailed to the Kempf Family Funeral Home PO Box 519 Marshall MI 49068. Leave a personal message for the family and sign the online guestbook at https://www.kempffuneralhome.com
Cynthia Marie Keys (1959-2020)
Cynthia Marie Keys, 61, was born October 28, 1959 in Welsh, Louisiana. To the late Allen and Marjorie (Washington) Keys Sr. A resident of Welsh, she was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church where she served in the Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary. Cynthia was employed by the United States Postal Service as a mail carrier for thirty-one years. She departed this life Thursday, November 5, 2020. She leaves to cherish her memories one son, Keygan Keys; four sisters, Melina (Darril) Volair, Margie (Gussie) Pitre, Myrna Mott, and Bernadette Keys, five brothers, Hubert, Michael (Kay), Kenneth (Tamara), Paul Lynn, and Donald Keys; one grandchild, Kyla Jane Keys; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Cy’Neesha Keys; parents Allen and Marjorie Keys Sr.; and two brothers Allen Keys Jr. and Carl A. Keys. Cynthia’s homegoing services were held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, followed by burial at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church Cemetery, Welsh, Louisiana.
Barbara Jean (Owens) Vallar (1943-2020)
Barbara Jean Vallar was born October 18, 1943 in Prairie Point Mississippi to Blanche (Boyd) and Willie Owens. She peacefully went home with the Lord on Wednesday September 23, 2020 surrounded by her family. Barbara attended Macon Colored High School where she graduated from in 1962. After high school she moved to New York, New York. She later relocated to Kalamazoo, Michigan in late 1962. She was employed at Cadillac Overhaul and transitioned to Kalamazoo Paper Company, until their closure. In late 1962 she met the love of her life, James Isaac Vallar Sr. On December 1 ,1969 they united in marriage and to this union two children were born , James and Stephanie.
Barbara confessed her belief in Christ at an early age at Sauder C.M Church in Prairie Point. After moving to Kalamazoo she became a member of Galilee Missionary Baptist under the leadership of the late Rev. Mabry Gardner. She served on the Senior Usher Board and for over 15 years as the Assistant Secretary until her health declined.
Barbara had a strong personality but a big heart and would always have a smile on her face. She was like a mother figure to her extended family members and was known to always provide a listening ear to everyone in the time of need. She wouldn’t hesitate to open her home to anyone that needed a place to stay or a hot meal to eat. She was also very passionate about cooking southern comfort food and homemade desserts. She will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved her.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her mother, Blanche (Boyd) Owens; her father, Willie Owens and brother, Lessie Owens.
Rosa Lee Keyes-Coleman (1944-2020)
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Rosa Lee "Tiny" Keyes was the fourteenth child of Abraham and Lillian Keyes, born June 24, 1944. Rosa accepted Christ at an early age attending Pleasant Green Baptist Church of Beaumont, Texas.
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In September, 1959, Rosa attended The Blind, Deaf and Orphanage School in Austin, Texas where she graduated and receive her high school diploma. During her tenure in school, Rosa was cheerleader and a faithful member of the school choir, and competed in school talent shows and would win 1st place every time. Rosa met and married Clarence Lee Coleman July 17th, 1965. To this union, the loving couple
had three children. The family attended 19th Street Baptist Church where she served as was a faithful choir member. They moved to Houston, Texas in 1971 where Rosa attended and was a faithful choir member at Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church under Rev. V.C. Cooper. In 1999, Rosa joined New Mount Calvary Baptist Church where she served faithfully as a member of her Sunday School “WOW” Class, Senior Adult Ministry, and the Voices of Calvary Choir. Rosa worked as Head Supervisor of the Pen Department Unit, serving eighteen years - retiring from the Houston Lighthouse for the Blind in 1994.
Rosa rejoices in Glory with parents: Abraham and Lillian Keyes, eight brothers and three sisters; her legacy lives on through: best friend and husband, Clarence; son, Anthony (Dee Dee) Coleman; daughters, Myra Coleman and Ashanti (Elijah) Mitchell; sisters Joyce Broussard (Henry) of Las Vegas, NV, Leona Coleman of Riverside, CA, Mary McKinney ( Rev. Jesse)of Riverside, CA, and Carol Battles of Houston, TX; loving grandchildren: Ashton Coleman, Jamal Miles, Denisha Miles, Kelva Miles, Ashlee Coleman, Jordan Miles, Deja Owens and Timothy Owens; and host of relatives, church family, and friends. Rosa died June 12, 2020 in Houston, Texas.
Henry Joseph Broussard (1935-2020)
Henry Joseph Broussard was born on January 14, 1935, in Cheek, Texas son of Alexander D. Broussard and Anna May Benard Broussard. He entered into eternal rest on Sunday, May 24, 2020, in Las Vegas, NV.
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Henry fathered three sons and a daughter - the daughter died as an infant. Henry moved to Los Angeles where he worked in the fiberglass industry - later owning his own business, H & L Fiberglass in Las Vegas. Henry was a guitarist from the age of 17 and he began working as a musician in Los Angeles to help support his family. He was a band leader until he could no longer play. His stage name was "Slim Henry".
Henry married Joyce Keyes December 23, 1971, then moved to Las Vegas in 1973. To this union they had one son (Jared) and a step daughter (Marylyn). The family joined Unity Baptist Church, where Henry joined the Male Chorus, where he played his base guitar and sometimes led a song.
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Henry is preceded in death by his two children, Carolyn and Vernice Joseph, his oldest son; two younger brothers Robert and Raymond Broussard; eight brothers-in-law, and three sisters-in-law. Henry leaves to celebrate his life and remember precious moments; his loving wife, Joyce; his four devoted children, Kenneth, Henry Alex, Jared and Marylyn; his brother, Philip; numerous grandchildren, a host relatives, musician friends, and church family.
Annie Lee Keyes (1940 - 2020)
Annie Lee Keyes, 80, of Beaumont, Texas departed this life Tuesday, February 25, 2020.
Annie's love and memories will remain in the hearts of her husband, Griffin Keyes; sons, Elliot Keyes, Byron Keyes (Kay), and terry Keyes (Lisa); daughters, Glenda Scott (Walter) and Angela Keyes; sisters, Freida Lewis (JW), Juanita Alfred, Dorothy Francis; and Diane Alfred (Dan); seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; host of other relatives and friends.
Annie was interned February 29, 2020 at Rose Hill Cemetery, Fenton, LA.
Darryl Christopher Keyes (1951 - 2019)
Born February 11, 1951 in Oakland, California, Darryl Christopher Keyes was the third of five children born to Clemmon and Hazel Robinson Keyes.
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Darryl is a graduate of Skyline High School of Oakland, California, and after graduation lived and worked at various companies in the San Francisco bay area.
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Darryl passed away peacefully in Oakland on June 7, 2019, with his family at his side. Darryl is survived by a son Matanda Keyes who is currently attending a school of the arts in New York city.
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Darryl was 68.
Murdine Edward Keys Berry (1928 - 2017)
Born November 2, 1928 in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Murdine Edward "Baby Ruth" Keys was the third of twelve children born to the Reverend Clinton Seth and Jearline Mourney Keys.
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Ann educated person, Murdine received a bachelor degree in Education from Wiley College, a master's degree from North Texas State University, and pursued a doctorial degree at East Texas State University.
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As an educator, Murdine taught school for 32 years in the Dallas independent School District. here education network was extensive and included affiliation with the NAACP, local school board of directors, and she served as president of the Coalition of 100 Black Women.
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Murdine passed away peacefully in Dallas on June 11, 2017. In her 88 years, she was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, teacher, mentor, and friend.