Boyd O'Neal Keith

BOYD O’NEAL KEITH ~~ A LADY WITH A LOVING SPIRIT AND A GIVING HEART Mrs. Boyd O’Neal Keith is gone, but she will never be forgotten. The world is a better place now because of her life, as shown by the good she did and the many lives she touched. Almost ninety years ago, God sent one of His special angels to earth with the mission of spreading faith, good will, and hope to His people. Mrs. Keith, or “MawMaw” as she was lovingly known, was born July 17, 1918, the daughter of Jim Byrd and Margaret Edwards O’Neal, at the home place in Bonnie Chapel. God called her home on May 4, 2008, to help her heavenly family work in His gardens. There will be no more idle time in heaven because Mrs. Boyd will find jobs for everyone there. There is still work to be done, as MawMaw frequently said. Mrs. Keith was preceded in death by her parents, Jim Byrd and Margaret O’Neal, her dear brother Bea, and her husband, Robert B. Keith. She was also greeted at Heaven’s gates by her cherished daughter, Elaine, and her beloved son-in-law, Dennis. She is survived by her other three children. Left behind to cherish her memories are her son and his wife, Charles and Cheryl Keith, and their sons, Robert and Kenneth and Robert’s wife Heather. Cheryl was always MawMaw’s favorite daughter-in-law who would help her complete her many projects, and she was there during these last weeks to bring special joy to her life. She also leaves behind to carry on her work her daughter and son-in-law, Margaret and Paul (Andy) Andresen. Paul (Andy) was her man of many hats, and she was forever asking him to change hats to do something different. Margaret and Andy will have much to do as they keep MawMaw’s yard and property looking like a national park. And to live daily the many lessons she taught, MawMaw leaves her daughter, Judy Illich, and her grandsons, Danny and David Illich. To carry forth her legacy, MawMaw has four great grand children, Austin Keith, Evan Keith, Jerry Self, and Nathan Self. Lindsay Lloyd and Cindy Foster are special family members who came into our family, learned MawMaw’s lessons, and shared her love. Additionally, MawMaw is survived by her many “children” whom she loved, nurtured, and helped to raise at church, in the schools, and in the community. She was so very proud of six of her “children” who became ministers and went out to share God’s promises. Mrs. Boyd was loved by everyone whom she met. There were no strangers in her life – only friends. She will be missed by all that were touched by her life, and she will never be forgotten as we go forth to do good things. As a woman with deep and abiding faith, Mrs. Boyd, as she was known by many, lived her personal motto, “How strong is your faith?” Teaching God’s word was her calling, and she was a Sunday School teacher all of her life. During her last weeks, she worked to reach her goal of getting back to Sunday School because she had had perfect attendance for many years and because her work of teaching others about God was not yet finished. MawMaw believed that everyone needed and deserved the best education possible. She worked tirelessly with all school organizations, especially those that her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren attended, to help provide materials and support education. Mrs. Boyd Keith was a member of Bonnie Chapel United Methodist Church, and New Prospect Methodist Camp Meeting. In her eighty-nine years, she lived at and attended Camp Meeting every year. She always sat in her favorite pew, one row back from the front, where those behind her could always feel the presence of God in her spirit. In her latter years, she attended Larue Baptist Church after God told her that she was needed at that Church. She acquired many new “children” there, and now those children will carry on her legacy as they continue to support the church she so loved. MawMaw made and gave away thousands of quilts that became treasured possessions to her family members and her “children”. She also made and gave quilts to organizations for fund raisers. In fact, one was made during the last week of her life on earth. In this quilt, just as all of the others she made, every stitch was made with love and a special prayer for the one who would receive the quilt. Her quilts spread hope. MawMaw believed that everybody needed a biscuit to eat and a quilt to keep them warm. We thank all who prayed for, visited, called, and sent cards to Mrs. Boyd these last few weeks. Special thanks go to the Hospice of Light Organization. Carol, Stacy, and Sheila were loving, caring helpful “children “ who quickly learned to love MawMaw and gave her peace and care during the last weeks. Ladies, your concern and help were greatly appreciated. A heartfelt thanks goes to Mrs. Dorina Waltman, another of MawMaw’s “children” and a special friend, for coming each day to care for her and to support us. We could not have survived the end of this journey without the prayers, help, and caring concern of MawMaw’s many, many friends. MawMaw, you are now in God’s hands in Heaven, but you are in our hearts and lives forever. We honor you for the tremendous love you shared with so many people. We know God has His angel back in Heaven to watch over us and to help us continue your life’s work, faith, and love. May our faith always be as strong as yours. You are a special lady! To recognize her strong faith and her life of teaching and supporting education, contributions to New Prospect United Methodist Camp Ground [P.O. Box 5382, Vancleave, Ms, 39565], Ocean Springs Education Foundation’s Dennis Illich Memorial Fund [P.O. Box 7002, Ocean Springs, MS 39566], or to your favorite charity to honor her memory would be appreciated in lieu of flowers. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 8, 2008 in the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Homes. Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 9, 2008 at Larue Baptist Church in Larue, where friends may visit one hour prior to service. Burial to follow at Byrd Cemetery located in the Bonnie Chapel Community North of Vancleave.