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Mary Joyce Kirkley Keys was born May 5, 1934, in Simpson County, Mississippi, and stepped into the arms of her savior on Friday evening, September 26, 2025, at The Arbor and Terrace in Ruston, La. She was 91.
In 1954, she married C.R. “Ray” Keys and moved to Jackson, MS, where they raised their two children, Richard and Sheila.
Joyce enjoyed a 20-year career as an optician in Jackson. After the loss of her husband in 1986, she returned to her hometown, where she had graduated from Magee High School in 1953. In addition to caring for her parents until their passing, she became involved in many community and volunteer activities and was an active member of First Baptist Church in Magee. She worked with the Magee Chamber of Commerce, the Simpson County Soil and Water Conservation District, and Symphonia Music Club. She was also a member of the Post-Polio Association.
Mrs. Keys is preceded in death by her infant brother, Henry Edward; her parents, Henry Newton and Bertha Bishop Kirkley; her husband of 32 years, Ray; and her son, Charles Richard Keys.
She is survived by her daughter Sheila Keys Keyes (Randy) of Choudrant, La, and six granddaughters. Carmen Keys Gross (Trevor) of Madison, MS, Shannon Keys of Baltimore, MD, Mollie Keys Woods (Caleb) of Madison, MS, Sarah Keyes Jeffords (Mark) of Ruston, LA, Natalie Keyes Adams (Chris) of Shreveport, LA, and Kelli Keyes Campbell (Max) of Monroe, LA. She
also leaves behind twelve great-grandchildren: Vivi Gross, Richard Stratton Gross, John Keys Gross, John Mark Jeffords, Rhodes Jeffords, Luke Henry Jeffords, Blake Adams, Vera Hazel Adams, Alfie Adams, Camille Campbell, Kit Campbell, and George Woods.
In addition, the family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at The Arbor and Terrace in Ruston and Elara Caring Hospice, who went above and beyond in the love and care they provided to her and her family.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 2, 2025, at First Baptist Church of Magee, MS, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The service will begin at 11:00 with Rev. Buddy Keyes officiating. She will be laid to rest next to her husband at Salem Cemetery in Collins, MS.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Pine Grove Cemetery Association, 124 Gather Johnson Road, Magee, MS.
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