Dr. Samuel Wayne Keyes

Dr. Samuel Wayne Keyes, age 93, passed away quietly on December 10, 2023, at Community Place in Brandon, MS. Sam was born on May 15, 1930, to Homer and Lena Keyes at the family's homestead in Copiah County Mississippi. He grew up working on the family farm. He graduated from Hazlehurst High School and Copiah-Lincoln Junior College. He met the love of his life, Kathleen Ivy, by way of his best friend at Co-Lin, which happened to be one of Kathleen's brothers. Sam and Kathleen fell in love and got married in 1951. Their 66-year marriage journey began with a move to Starkville, where Sam, with Kathleen's help, completed his studies at Mississippi State University earning a BS Degree in Animal Husbandry.

Sam joined the US Navy Reserve, attended Officer Candidate School, and was commissioned an Ensign, USNR. Following graduation from OCS and MSU in 1952, he was deployed to the Korean War theater where he served several tours of duty as an engineering officer and a communications officer aboard the USS Oriskany CVA 34, aircraft carrier.

Following discharge from active duty at the end of the war, Sam remained in the USNR while pursuing his long-standing dream of becoming a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. He was accepted into the Auburn University School of Veterinary Medicine where in 1958 he earned his DVM degree. Sam and Kathleen, with their first born in tow, moved to Jackson, Mississippi where he began practicing veterinary medicine at the Jackson Animal Hospital and Meadowbrook Hospital for Cats. He eventually became a co-owner and then managing partner. After almost 30 years of small animal practice, he and his partner sold the practice in 1984 with the intent to retire. Instead, Sam entered another career phase by accepting an opportunity to join the USDA Meat Inspection Service, where he rose to District Supervisor before retiring with distinction in 1998.

Throughout his career, Sam remained active in the USNR, rising to the rank of Captain. In addition to his active-duty service as a Korean War Veteran, he served assignments as commander of the Naval Reserve Station in Jackson; a tour as a Mississippi representative of the US Academy recruitment office; and other leadership positions before retiring after 30 years of military service. Sam was also active in civic and military affairs in Jackson, including serving stents as President of the Fondren Civitan Club and the Mississippi Chapter of the Reserve Officers Association of the US.

Sam loved dove hunting, Mississippi State and Auburn football; traveling with Kathleen in retirement; tending to his modest Copiah County tree farm; and being PawPaw to all grandchildren. But most significant of all, Sam was a devout follower of Jesus and devoted husband and father, who loved his family and made certain they were supported, nurtured, encouraged, and trained up in the way they should go. Sam Jr., Debrah, and Lynda all remember being influenced by his personal Bible Study sessions he studied and listened to study tapes, sermons and devotionals. He loved digging to God's Word. He was a Bible scholar and put his study to practice as a Sunday School teacher at Broadmoor Baptist Church for many years where he also served as deacon and other church leadership positions. He loved to share the gospel, debate theology, and sometimes even "preach" to his children, grandchildren, and friends, and more recently, his care takers. After his move to Rankin County, he and Kathleen joined Lakeside Presbyterian where he continued to serve before Kathleen's passing, as his own health diminished.

Sam was preceded in death by wife, Kathleen Ivy Keyes; infant son Richard; parents, Homer and Lena Keyes; stepbrother, Benny; stepsister, L'Rene Armstrong.

He is survived by his sister Kennie Keyes Ivy; children, Sam Keyes, Jr. (Ruth); Debrah Keyes Murray (John), Lynda Keyes Naramore (Ronnie); grandchildren Samuel N. Keyes (Gretchen), Emily Keyes, Michelle Murray Mullins (Luke), Chris Murray (Victoria), and Corey Naramore (Jessica); 14 great-grandchildren; and numerous nephews and nieces.

A funeral service will be Friday, December 15, 2023, at 11:00am at Lakeside Presbyterian Church with visitation starting at 9:30am. A graveside service will follow at 2:30pm at Bethel Baptist Cemetery in Copiah County, MS.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be to Lakeside Presbyterian Church, 2070 Spillway Rd., Brandon, MS 39047 or Bethel Baptist Church 6161 Hwy 472, Hazlehurst, MS 39078, Attention: Rhonda Whittington.