George Keyes Sr.

GEORGE JULIUS KEYES, SR. was born on Thursday, January 1, 1942, to Wallace and Mary Corrine (Terrell) Keyes, in Laurel, Mississippi. Mary and Wallace Keyes relocated their family to Ashtabula, Ohio, in 1946. George was raised in a home where serving God was first. He became a member of People’s Baptist Church, where his father was pastor. He later joined the Apostolic Faith Church of God in Jefferson, Ohio.

At an early age, George’s mother gifted him a guitar. He loved music and learned to play the guitar, cornet, and baritone. His love of music projected him into being the Drum Major of the Ashtabula High School Band in his junior and senior years of high school. He was proud of his drum major position and was loved by his fellow band members and the community for his skills and leadership. George was heavily involved at Ashtabula High School as he was on the track team, reserve basketball team, and varsity basketball team. Additionally, he participated in several high school clubs. In 1961, George graduated from Ashtabula High School with aspirations to become a mechanic. He attended, in the evenings, the Ashtabula branch of Kent State University for welding.

In January of 1964, George Sr. enlisted in the United States Air Force. He served our country as an aircraft mechanic. During George’s four-year term, he served in the Vietnam War and was promoted to Sergeant George J. Keyes. His term of service ended on January 9, 1968.

During George’s military service, he met the love of his life, Helen T. Simmons. They were married on July 31, 1965. After George’s Air Force service ended, he relocated to Columbus, Ohio, to start a family. George obtained his insurance agent license and sold insurance while managing a Lawson’s convenience store. The couple decided to relocate to Jefferson, Ohio. His parents gifted him land, and his father, a head carpenter, built them a home on the land.

After relocating to Jefferson, Ohio, George held jobs with the Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company – Ashtabula, Ohio, Anchor Motor Freight, Greenleaf, and Roadway Express. George was innovative and built recreational vehicles to transport his family. He started several successful businesses, farmed large crops of corn and green beans, and was known to assist anyone in need.

George’s love for music was permanent. After high school, he continued to enjoy playing his guitar. For many years, he was the lead guitarist at his place of worship and provided instructions on how to play the guitar to several family members.

George J. Keyes, Sr., age eighty-one, formerly of Columbus, Ohio, was called home to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, July 6, 2023. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wallace and Corrine Keyes; brothers, Oree Keyes, Sr., Wallace Keyes Jr., and Paul Keyes; and sisters, Audrey Clark, Dorothy Lyons, and Loicey Keyes.

He is survived by love of his life, Helen T. Keyes; sister, Elder Ora L. Tyus; children, Janeece Keyes-Shanklin, George (Jessica) Keyes Jr., Christal Keyes, William (Dawn) Keyes, Regina Scott, Rosalynn (Steve) Martone, Alisha (Robert) Jackson, LaToya Keyes, and Julie (Watson) Dorelien; grandchildren, Kevin (Deiona) Shanklin Jr., Tiara Shanklin, Lynae Norfleet, Deontre Keyes, Kandace (Christian) Bux, Haleigh Sheline, David Maggert, Ashley Printup, William (Klarissa) Printup, Harold Pretlow, Anessa Pretlow, Charles Hopkins, William L. Keyes Jr., Hannah Scott, Samuel Scott, Seven Scott, Darrin Martone, Allayna Martone, Haley Jackson, Noah Jackson, Nehemiah Jackson, Ethan Keyes, Alexis Dorelien, Nasir Dorelien, and Mario Blount Jr.; five great granddaughters; three great grandsons; many other family members and dear friends. George loved his family and his presence is deeply missed; however, his family rejoices, knowing he is resting and will suffer no more.