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Josephine M. Keyes

April 27, 1941 November 15, 2015
Josephine M. Keyes
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Obituary for Josephine M. Keyes
Life Story
 
Josephine Minnis Keyes, daughter of the late James Minnis Sr. and Hazel J. Minnis    (née Wright), was born April 27, 1941 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
 
She departed this life on Sunday, November 15, 2015.  Josephine received her primary education at David Landreth Elementary School and remained childhood friends throughout her life with Mrs. Joyce Gandy.  Josephine attended Audenreid Junior High School and graduated from West Philadelphia High School in 1959.  She was a member of the Delta Phi Tau high school sorority where she would meet Dr. Alicia Petersen who became one of her nearest and dearest lifelong friends. 
 
On April 7, 1960 Josephine married William C. Keyes, Jr. They became the proud parents of two sons, William C. Keyes, III and Ricco C. Keyes.  To say that she was a dedicated mother is an understatement. For Josephine, Bill and Ricco were her world and she could not have been prouder of the men her sons became.
 
At a young age Josephine along with her siblings attended the Garden of Prayer Church.  She was a member of Camphor Memorial United Methodist Church where she served as a Communion Stewardess.  Josephine recently became a member of Mt. Zion Pentecostal Faith Church under the leadership of Bishop Edward Long, Jr. where she faithfully honored and trusted in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior to the very end.
 
Commitment to family was one of her core values and all can attest to her enduring love for her siblings Barbara, James Jr. (who preceded her in death) and Phyllis; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces and cousins. For many years she provided devoted care to her own mother as age and illness set in. The arrival of her grandsons Solomon and Eli brought her tremendous joy and untold satisfaction. She believed in knowing ones history and found particular satisfaction in researching and documenting the family legacy and genealogy.
 
Josephine worked in both the corporate and academic world. She spent many years in the human resources department of Blue Cross as a Benefits Manager and then moved on to several more years as an Executive Assistant to the Dean of the Dental School at the University of Pennsylvania before retiring in 2003. She was a member of various organizations including The National Council of Negro Women, Society of Black Insurance Professionals and Outreachers.  Josephine was committed to serving others and was a volunteer at Graduate Hospital and the American Heart Association.
 
She leaves to cherish her memory: her loving and devoted sons William, wife Katrina; Ricco, wife Temitope; beloved grandsons Solomon and Eli; one great aunt Mildred Owens of Delaware; her dear sisters Barbara Rook of Philadelphia; Phyllis Waters, husband Roger of Maryland; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
 
 
Lovingly, The Family
 

Josephine M. Keyes
Celebration of Life

Monday
November 23, 2015




Viewing:  9:00 a.m.  Service:  10:00 a.m. 


at Mt. Zion Pentecostal Faith Church
4960 Master Street
Philadelphia, PA   19131

Interment to conclude at 
Rolling Green Memorial Park
West Chester, PA
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