Mrs. Mary Keyes

KEYES, Mrs. Mary - Age 98, passed away Sunday, June 22, 2025, at her residence. Family hour 11:30 AM Saturday, July 12, 2025, at Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle, 930 E. Myrtle Ave., with funeral service commencing at 12:30 PM Pastor Stephen Murphy, officiating. Interment Great Lakes National Cemetery, G-4200 Bedford Rd., Holly, MI. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 11:30 AM Saturday. 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 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM Friday, July 11, 2025. The daughter of Ida Howard and Oscar Reeves. She was raised in the city of Flint by her mother and stepfather Charles Howard and attended the Flint Public Schools. She met and married the love of her life, Russell Keyes, and to that union they had 9 children, 2 girls and 7 boys. Mary was employed and retired from Hurley Medical Center after working 15 years in Public Safety. She was a faithful member of the Metropolitan Baptist Church in Flint. Along her spiritual journey she served thirty-five plus years on the Mother's Board and was a Leader and Co-leader of the Phebian Missionary Ministry. Mary found joy not only in her connection to God in her worship, but she found joy in connecting with family and friends. Her passions included traveling, shopping, bowling, sewing, working in her flower garden, baking, and spending time with her family and cooking those family dinners. She joined a quilt making class and enjoyed the fellowship with the other ladies in the class. She was also a part of the Ennis Center that made 120 quilts for adopted children. Mother Keyes found herself engaging in all types of crafts including scrapbooking and greeting card making. Mother Keyes was a beacon of light and a ray of sunshine in the lives of all who knew her. She can be remembered for her gentle spirit, her kindness, and her compassion. She had an unwavering dedication to caring for others. Her legacy continues with: 2 daughters, Joanne Batson & Joyce Keyes; 2 sons, Jeffery (Angel) Keyes, & Rodney Keyes; grandchildren, B.J., Krysta (Donnie), Gabriel (Rochelle), Fanechia (Emmanuel), Damarius (Joubert) Dorhea (Kenneth), Shawnda, Allen, Toya (James), Donielle (Yama), Chris (Rose), Cianna, Jamar, Darcyl, Imani, Jacolby, Tiffany (Clyde), Trabien, Greg, Amari, Dajuana (Feronda), Zion; niece, Carol Roberson; daughters-in-law, Debra Keyes, and Jane Keyes; many great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends including special friend and partner in Crime, Bertha Burns. She was preceded in death by husband, Russell Keyes; parents, Ida Howard and Oscar Reeves; sons, Norman, Gary, Allen, Gregory, and Brian Keyes; grandson, Derrick Keyes; son-in-law, Bennie Batson; mother-in-law, Effie Keyes; step-father; Charles Howard; sisters-in-law, Hazel & Marion, Special thanks to caregivers, McClaren Hospice Care, Pastor Murphy and Metropolitan Baptist Church family, Pastor Knowlin and Jackson Memorial Temple Church family.

Mrs. Mary Keyes

May 13, 1927 - June 22, 2025