Mrs. Dianne Keyes

KEYES, Mrs. Dianne - Age 71, passed away Tuesday, September 22, 2015 at Genesee Care Center, Grand Blanc, MI. Family hour 10 a.m. Wednesday, September 30, 2015 at New Jerusalem Full Gospel Baptist Church, 1035 W. Carpenter Rd., with funeral service commencing at 11 a.m. Pastor Patrick W. Sanders, Sr. officiating. Interment Sunset Hills Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10 a.m. Wednesday. Mrs. Keyes will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 12 p.m. - 8 p.m., with the family present from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. Tuesday. Mrs. Dianne S. Keyes was born July 17, 1944 in Flint, Michigan the 4th of 5 children born to Richard James and Addie Mae Simpson. She was raised in a “Christian Home.” She attended Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle and was baptized at an early age. Dianne sung (beautiful soprano) and played the piano, playing for the Bluebells and The 4 Bells. She sung with the “Wilson Ensemble” and later moved her membership to New Jerusalem Full Gospel Baptist Church. Dianne loved God and music, she sung faithfully with the “IV’s” up until her health began to decline. She attended Parkland Elementary, Emerson and Whittier Jr. High, and graduated from Flint Southwestern High School, “Class of 1963.” Dianne was employed at A.C. Spark Plug, a division of General Motors and later worked as a Cook, she would often cook for visiting guests of the church. She loved to fishing and bowling and was quite skillful at it. After graduation she married Norman Keyes and to this union 2 daughters were born. Dianne loved her family and was a proud grandmother who loved everyone of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She had a cheerful, outspoken nature and would bring lots of laughter to any gathering. Mrs. Dianne S. Keyes leaves to cherish her memory: 2 daughters, Dorhea (Kenny) Burrell of Cleveland, OH and Shawnda Simmons of Flint; 9 grandchildren, Zaquesha, Kiara (Dimitri), Jauquaze, Isiah, Juanicka, Chaniese, Juanay, Joseph and Juakobe; 9 great-grandchildren; sister, Cherry L. Brown; 2 brothers, William D. (Rose) and Henry D. (Pamela) Simpson; sister-in-law of deceased brother, Richard, (Ophelia) Simpson; adopted sister, Denise M. Fleming (James) Roberts of Savannah, GA; 5 nieces, Tonya (Phillip) Dukes, Stephanie, Indi Simpson, Rhonda (Woody) Greene and Cherry A. Brown; 6 nephews, Richard III, Sharif and Tomar Simpson, Charles Jr. (Kathy) Brown, David and Kennard Simpson; mother-in-law, Mary Keyes; 2 sisters-in-law, Joyce Keyes and JoAnn Batson; 5 brothers-in-law, Gary (Deborah), Rodney (Evella), Allen (Charlette), Gregory (Jane) and Jeffrey (Angel) Keys; a host of great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends including special friends, Shirley Caver, Shirley Vaughn, Zenobia Traylor, Lillie Thomas and Keith Champion. Mrs. Keyes was preceded in death by her husband, Norman Keyes; parents, Richard James and Addie Mae Simpson; grandparents, oldest brother, brother-in-law, father-in-law, aunts, uncles and cousins. The family would like to express special thanks to New Jerusalem Full Gospel Baptist Church family, Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle family, The Cross Missionary Baptist Church family, Crestmont Nursing Care Center, Genesee Health Care, Shawnda and Juanay.

Mrs. Dianne Keyes

July 17, 1944 - September 22, 2015