Mr. Robert “Ray” Keys, age 81, Limestone, passed away Friday, April 11, 2025, at his residence.
Mr. Keys was born September 13, 1943, in Washington County, Tennessee, to the late Niles Lewis & Anna Mary Bales Keys. He was also preceded in death by sisters, Wilma Barnes, Marilyn Robert, Jo Rita Thompson, and Nancy Luster, and a brother, Niles Lewis Keys.
He was a member of Cherry Hill Free Will Baptist Church, where he served as Deacon and Sunday School Superintendent.
Mr. Keys worked at his father’s sawmill starting at the age of thirteen, worked at Magnavox in Greeneville and was a Mechanic at the Washington County Department of Education School Bus Garage.
Survivors include his wife, Janice Eastepp Keys, Limestone; sister, Linda Keys Fann, Limestone; a host of nephews and nieces; and a special sister-in-law, Iva Nell Keys, Church Hill.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Michael Snyder, State of Franklin Healthcare Associates, and Amedisys Hospice of Elizabethton, for their wonderful care.
Funeral services will be conducted 4:00 PM, Sunday, April 13, 2025, at Dillow-Taylor Funeral Home with Pastor David Anderson officiating. The family will receive friends from 2:00-4:00 PM on Sunday prior to the service. Graveside services will follow at Pleasant Grove Methodist Church Cemetery.
The Pallbearers will be Jimmy Rector, Frank Gillenwater, Lynn Roberts, David Ottinger, Richard Harrison, Steve Street, and Matthew Baines. The honorary pallbearer will be Mark Shelton.
My condolences, and deepest sympathy to all of his family. So sorry to hear of his passing away. My thoughts and prayers for all the family, especially to his wife and his sister Linda Fann
Ray was our gentle giant cousin who always spoke softly and carried one of his big walking sticks...one of our favorite childhood memories was seeing him...at age 13...driving the big log truck down providence road.
My heart goes out to your family. Even though i only got to meet him a few times, i could tell he was a special man
Condolences and Prayers goes out to Janice and family. We all Loved Ray and his gentle soul and will truly miss him for now but reunite in God's presence
04/11/2025
SHELTON AND MARSHA MEADE
OUR HEARTS ARE SADDEN BY RAY'S PASSING. HE WAS A VERY SPECIAL PERSON TO ALL. . WE WILL KEEP THE FAMILY IN PRAYER.
04/11/2025
Jan Keyes Knudson&Phil Knudson
We loved Ray. He will be missed. He loved the Lord and he was a great testimony to all. He is in the arms of Jesus. We will see him again someday. Prays for Janice and Linda and family. Love you all.
So sorry to hear of his passing. I lived down the road from him in Limestone. Ray was a wonderful man and I used to love to talk to him when my mom and I went on walks down the road.
