Rev. Rev. David Livingstone Keith

David Livingstone Keith, 95, of High Point, NC, passed peacefully into the Lord's presence July 26, 2025.

David was a lifelong member of the Wesleyan Church. April 2025 David moved back to High Point, NC and became a member of Hayworth Wesleyan Church.

David was born in Swaziland (present-day Eswatini), Africa, on May 23, 1930, the second of Clarence and Roberta Keith's eight children. He and his siblings were all born on the mission field, where the Keiths spent a total of thirty-three years serving the Wesleyan Church.

Due to life-threatening experiences with malaria, the Keiths moved to Emmanuel Mission in Port Shepstone. At the close of WW2 Clarence and Roberta sent John (17) and David (16) to America via a cargo ship. Months later the rest of the family sailed to America and the children were able to complete their schooling in Cincinnati, OH.

David met his wife, Huberta Carver, while in college in Cincinnati, and they married on July 14, 1951, near Portsmouth, OH. Seven months later the couple sailed to South Africa to begin their missionary work. Their first two daughters, Muriel and Beverley, were born in Johannesburg. Their third daughter, Lois, was born in Frankfort, IN, while the family was home on furlough. Their son, David, was born in Springs, South Africa. Due to Huberta's serious health concerns, the family returned to the United States permanently in 1964.

David and Huberta raised their children to love and serve the Lord. Together, they emphasized the importance of sacred scripture, prayer, and worship. The couple served the Wesleyan Church for their entire marriage. David worked for decades in various capacities in the Missions Department, then as General Secretary of Youth, and lastly as General Secretary of Local Church Education. In addition, he served as Director of Development at Indiana Wesleyan University. David and Huberta completed their ministry in the Washington, DC area, where he served as a district superintendent of churches for several years. Huberta was the compassionate heart of their ministry, and she was revered throughout the Wesleyan community. Ever David's steady partner, she developed a reputation for sanctity and hospitality that shaped the lives of many in the church and her family. She preceded David in death and went to be with the Lord on September 19, 2002. After her death, David married Wanda Jones and added to our family Michael, Patty, Johnny, and their families. Wanda went to be with the Lord on June 10, 2014. As a widower, David continued to walk with the Lord and serve as a visitation pastor to shut-ins. He devoted himself to studying sacred scripture, interceding for his family, oil painting, and contemplating creation. In his last days, with his memory failing, he listened to his children sing his favorite hymns - especially "Rock of Ages" - to him. He sang along when he could.

David is survived by his four children: Muriel (Sam) White, Beverley (David) Bogear, Lois (Jeff) Heron, and Dave (Deb) Keith; and by his siblings: Mary Gunsalus, sister-in-law, Joanne Keith, Bonnie (Brian) Sheen, and Verona Barrows; step-children Michael (Toni), Patty (Ed), Johnny (Joni), and many extended family members.

David has nine grandchildren, thirty-two great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild:

Amy (Mitch) Noland and their children, Chase (Meghan) and Campbell.

Wesley (Melinda) White and their children, Anna (Anderson), David (Nicole), and great-great-grandson, Logan, Geneva (James), Hope, Leah, Rochelle, and Virginia.

Aubrey (Dan) Neeley and their children, Evelyn and Lindiwe.

Andrew White

Jason (Hannah) Heron and their children, Margeaux, Eloise, James, Thomas, Frances, and Lily.

Emily (Grant) Swartzentruber and their children, Lola, Esme, Julian, Camille, Henry, Marie Claire, Maximilian, and Baby #8.

Paige (Paul) Stevens and their children, Julia, Edward, and Gabriel.

Madison (Austin) Nardone and son, Weston.

Emma (Josh) Barnard and their children, Emery and Avi.

In addition to Huberta and Wanda, David was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, John (& Ruth) Keith and Robert Keith; sisters, Esther (& Nico) Snyman, Bethel (& Irvin) Lorenzen, and their son, Keith; brothers-in-law, Harold Gunsalus and Robert (Bob) Barrows.

A funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, August 1, 2025 in the chapel of Cumby Family Funeral Service in High Point. The family will receive friends from 2:00-3:00 p.m., prior to the service at the funeral home. A private family interment will be held on a later date. A live webcast of the service may be viewed through his tribute page at www.cumbyfuneral.com.