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Benny Keyes Obituary

Benny W. Keyes Jr.

Byram

Benny W. Keyes, Jr. went to be with his Lord July 9, 2011 at UMC. He was born in Jackson, MS on September 19, 1951. Visitation will be at Raymond Road Baptist Church 5 to 8 PM Tuesday, July 12, 2011. Visitation will be Wednesday morning at the church from 9 AM until the service at 10 AM.

He is survived by his loving wife, Beverly Keyes; his daughter Christy & Jason Norville; his son Shaun & Tiffany Keyes; his step-daughter Beth & Tracy McAlister; grandchildren Allie & Bailey Watson, Zoe & Zayn Keyes and Kenzie, Kaylee & Kylie McAlister;sisters, Dot Keyes and Pam Blackall; and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ben W. and Nell Keyes; wife, Scherry; and Father-in-law Eddie Peusch.

Benny was a man that never met a stranger and was full of love for his Lord, family, and friends. He always had a smile on his face and joy in his heart for all he met. His faith stood first and foremost in all that he did at church, work, or at home. Benny's life was a testimony to his Lord.

He was with the Hinds County Tax Assessors office from 1971 until his retirement in December of 2010 as the chief deputy. He was dedicated to his profession and was well known and respected across the state.

He also faithfully and proudly served his country for 20 years in the United States Marine Corps.

After 32 years apart, he reconnected with his first love from high school and they have spent the last 8 years sharing happiness. He cherished not only Beverly, but her family as well and was looking forward to many more years together.

Pallbearers will be Tracy McAlister, Cain Underwood, Phillip Underwood, Bubba Wilson, Shanehan Westphal, and Matthew Peusch. The Raymond Road Baptist Church Deacons that have served with Benny will act as Honorary Pallbearers.

The world's loss today has been heaven's gain.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Raymond Road Baptist Church future building fund or Disabled American Veterans.

The family guestbook may be signed at www.chancellorfuneralhome.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Clarion Ledger from Jul. 11 to Jul. 13, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Benny Keyes

Not sure what to say?





Brenda Hale Berry

July 23, 2011

The night of Benny's first Birthday party my mother was standing at the refrigerator, hand on her hip,laughting as Benny stuck his finger in the icing of the cake. I still have the picture. She went in to labor and had me the next day. Benny died to young. He will be missed.

Mary Covington-Britt

July 15, 2011

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

July 15, 2011

Benny will truly be missed by anyone who knew him. God bless his family and friends. Kathy Billings (Thornton, CO)

Kathy Jo Smith

July 14, 2011

May God bless your family and may he shed light in your time of darkness. He is not alone in heaven.

Amy Bennett

July 14, 2011

Your family & friends is in my thoughts and prayers....

Anita Byrd

July 14, 2011

My Mother, Dorothy and Benny's father were brother and sister. I haven't seen Benny since the 1980s but my Mother saw him at a Keyes family reunion in Laurel several years ago. We are very sad to hear of his passing and our condolences go to his wife, and to Pammie and Dot, and to his children and family and friends. Rest in Peace, Benny.

Dorothy Nell Keyes Byrd
Anita Coleen Byrd

Gloria Hudgins Welch

July 13, 2011

What a awesome service this morning, for an awesome man. Benny was the perfect example of what a Christian is suppose to be. There will be such a void for his family and church family. The dash between his birth and death, was filled with his love for mankind and doing the Lord's work. His mission was accomplished. We humans do not understand God's reason for taking Benny, but, he is in control and does not make mistakes. I am so thankful that God allowed our paths to cross.

David Blount

July 13, 2011

A good man and a good friend. Respected by all who knew him.

Kym Craft

July 13, 2011

RIP Benny... You had the sweetest spirit and I enjoyed working with you at the Assessor's office. May God be with your family during this difficult time.

Jon Lewis

July 13, 2011

Top Keyes,

The Marines of C 114 will miss you. I truly enjoyed serving with you.

Turner Luttrell

July 13, 2011

To the family please know you are in our prayers. I knew Benny and Scherry from Raymond Road Baptist. What a servant; he loved his church and during Scherry's illness he was there by her side attending to her needs. Benny was an example of Christian service, may we model his life.

Randy Douglas

July 13, 2011

Thanks Benny for all the help you have given me and your friendship. You will surely be missed but I know you are in a better pkace now with our Lord Jesus Christ.

Randy Douglas

Karrie Johnson

July 13, 2011

I had the pleasure of meeting Benny as I started working as an auditor for the state in November. My first impression of him was that he was a very witty and charming person. He always made me feel very comfortable and was always had a listening ear. Eager to hear what you had to say. He always made you feel like what you had to say mattered. I had the privilege to sit and visit with him on several occasions. Which in the short time I knew him, he taught me a lot. He will be greatly missed. So sad to see such a great person go so soon. To his family, he touched many lives. Be proud, he was an impressive person. He has left an impression on my life.

Joe Young

July 12, 2011

Benny was a true professional. I have worked with him on many issues involving property tax in the State of Mississippi. Benny represented the people of Hinds County and the people of Mississippi by fighting for equilization in taxation. He will be greatly missed. But much more important than his job, Benny Keyes was a good man. His lived his beliefs. It was not hard to see "The Light" in his life. He let his light shine and in doing so he glorified his Lord. I was happy to call him my friend.

Bill mosley

July 12, 2011

You will be missed ,jarhead .God bless your family

Donavon Martin

July 12, 2011

I knew Mr. Keyes as "Gunny" - then later with his promotion he was "Top" to us all. His down-home manner and personable style of leadership kept many of us grounded when we tried to get a little 'sideways' while Charlie Battery was placed on active duty back in 1990-91. Semper Fi Gunny Keyes...it was an honor serving with you and may God bless and comfort your family.
(Donavon E. Martin - Carrollton, Ohio - USMC Reserves - Charlie Battery - Jackson, Miss. 1987-1993)

Sandi Hardy

July 12, 2011

To the family of Benny, I am so saddened to hear of Benny's passing. We were friends in Jr. High and I have not seen him since but Benny was one of the nicest people I have known and I'm sure he has touched so many people over the years. Benny was such a loving, kind-hearted guy. I feel so blessed that our paths crossed even though it was only for a brief time. My prayers to all of you as you go through this painful time of your life. I know Benny will be missed greatly and I'm sure that his memory will live on through all the lives that he touched. God bless you. My heartfelt sympathy.
Sandi (Callender) Hardy

Lorraine Fagan

July 12, 2011

Pam,

I was so sorry to hear of the loss of your brother. I remember you speaking of him with such love and pride when you worked with me years ago. I'll be praying for your family to feel the peace and love of God.

James

July 12, 2011

Mr. Benny, as I called him, was truly a great friend and a wonderful neighbor. He always had a joke and kind words whenever I saw him. My neighbor and friend, you will be missed. May God keep you and Bless your family. - James

Joe Xu

July 12, 2011

Beverly,
I was not in the office for few days because I visited my hospitalized son in Florida. I was shocked by this bad news. I called my wife immediately. We still remember we sat at same table and chatted with Benny for a while when the firm had the Christmas party. We enjoyed it very much. I hope you keep strong at this most difficult time in your life. Our thoughts are with you and your whole family just as when my son got the accident you did to me.

Johnny Scott

July 12, 2011

Benny was a great friend in High School. I know he will be missed greatly here on earth, but I bet Heaven will be a much happier place now that Benny is there. My condolences to his family.

July 12, 2011

No man had a brother-in-law like i had. Benny was kind, considerate, funny, and a great person to have a conversation with. He treated my sister like a queen and i hold a special spot in my heart for him. We always talked about going fishing together and i regret that it didn't happen. I know that he's trying to get GOD to take a few days off and go. Our loss has been heaven's gain. Ya'll catch one for me. Love you brother.
Bo Peusch

Glenn Johnson

July 11, 2011

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

christy norville

July 11, 2011

what to say... my dad was the most caring, kind, considerate, and amazing person i could ever think of. i am lost without him. His granddaughters, allie and bailey are missing him dearly. i know that he is with the lord, where he is suppose to be, but that does not make it easy on the rest of us. My dad was my heart and soul, i really am not sure what to do without him here. i am sure that i will always have him to guide me. I LOVE YOU DAD! and i cant wait to see you again.

love,
your daughter,
christy

Sandra Gray

July 11, 2011

To the family of Benny Keyes:
I am so sorry for your loss. I knew him in high school and he was a sweetheart.
I recall him as a friend to all and a person with a good heart.
Sandra Lynch Gray
Class of 1969

Kelly and Charlie Sikes

July 11, 2011

We are so terrible sorry to hear of Benny's death. I'm praying that God will touch you in a special way. We'll always have fond memories of Benny. He was such a kind and funny guy. Kelly and Charlie Sikes

Chuck Cornwall

July 11, 2011

I am sorry for your loss of such a find person. I knew Benny from his high school days. He always had a smile on his face and loved life to the fullest. May God Bless each of you during the lost of Benny.

Carole Cotten

July 11, 2011

So sorry for your loss. I remember from high school what a great guy Bennie was.
Carole Crowson Cotten

Joann Barnidge Vincent

July 11, 2011

Beverly thoughts and prayers to you and your family. If you should need me for anything I am here. The LORD is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 (NIV)

Bruce Templeton

July 11, 2011

I am so sorry to hear of Benny's passing. He was one the hardest woking and knowledgeable appraisers I ever met. I'll miss seeing his smiling face at out Tax Assessor meetings. May God comfort you during this time.

Mary Ann Palmer

July 11, 2011

We are so sorry to hear of the passing of Benny. He was such an asset of knowledge and personality to the Tax Assessor community. He will greatly missed by us all.

Janet Holloway

July 11, 2011

Benny and I kept in touch often as he shared his love for the lost and missions with me as he often asked about the people here in Russia. He was always sharing with me how he would be with the Lord the second he left his earthly body and knew this life was a only a step of the journey into eternity. Benny was great of spirit and his life was a pure example of how to live daily. I know all of Heaven is rejoicing at his arrival.

Robert Darnell

July 11, 2011

I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your brother Pammie.I have you and your family in my prays.If all need anything I am hear.Robert Darnell(Columbia TN)Love all very much Pistol

Marsha Turner

July 11, 2011

Beverly,
I was so saddened to hear of your husband's sudden death. As one who has just experienced the suddenness with my Dad, I can understand the pain you are suffering right now, but do know Benny has moved on to his final home and you will see him again one day. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Lynn Lee

July 11, 2011

Even as the tears flowed down my face Saturday morning @ UMC as the Doctor told us Benny was gone, I had a smile on my face knowing where he was and that his Lord had him by the hand. What a joy to have known and loved this fine, caring, Christian man and to have seen his faith be shown everyday to everyone he met. Bobby, Rob, Abby, Chris,Mother, and I will carry him in our hearts everyday. God's blessings on each of those in the family that have loved him as husband, father, brother-n-law,son-n-law, and friend. Each of us have been blessed beyond measure for having him in our lives.
He cherished you Beverly, and each member of the Puesch family. Thank you for loving him and making him so very happy.
Our loss has truely been Heaven's gain. We love you all.
Bob & Lynn Lee
Rob, Abby, & Chris Lee
Evelyn Wood

Peggy Jordan Hilton Hayward

July 11, 2011

i have not seen Benny since Jr High School, but i remember him as always having a smile and always taking up for the weaker kids who got picked on by bullies. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Jana Thomas

July 11, 2011

My dearest friend words will never express how truly sorry I was to hear of Benny's passing, I remember you and I staying at his home in Jackson, I know it seems as if that pain will never stop and mine hasn't with Mom, I love you and am deeply sorry for you, his wife and his children. Sincerely Jana Alderson Thomas

Shirley Anderson

July 11, 2011

Andy and I were sorry to hear of the passing of Benny. He and his wife, Scherry, taught our son in Sunday School at Raymond Rd and they were very dedicated workers for the Lord. Always kind-hearted and friendly, we appreciated them sharing their Christian love and knowledge to children. We offer our sympathy to his family.
Shirley and Clice "Andy" Anderson

DeSha White

July 11, 2011

It was with great sadness that I read in the paper this morning about the death of Benny.
As an independent fee appraiser my visits to the Hinds County Tax Assessor's office were always pleasant thanks to the helpful spirit of Benny and his staff. He always greeted everybody with a smile and a kind word.
My thoughts and prayers will be with his family in the days ahead.
Since retiring from appraising I have not seen Benny in several years but he touched the lives of all of us.His love for the Lord was a part of his life every day and we can take comfort in knowing that one day he will be reunited with all of his family that loved the Lord.

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