Bobby Norris Keys

September 11, 1930 - August 11, 2017

BOB KEYS

Bobby Norris Keys, Sr died at Phoebe Senior Center ( formerly known as Morningside) in Albany, GA. Services will be held 10:30 am on Tuesday, August 15, 2017 at First Baptist Church with Dr. Shawn Parker officiating. Burial will follow at Friendship Cemetery . Visitation is at First Baptist Church on Monday, August 14, 2017  from 5:00 PM -7:00 PM. Memorial Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Keys was born on September 11, 1930 in Collins, MS to the late  Charlie Ramsey and Thelma Earl Keys. He graduated as Salutatorian from Collins High School and graduated from University of Southern Mississippi. He received a Masters Degree from George Williams College in Chicago.

Bob’s active participation in civic organizations shows his interest and belief in Columbus and Lowndes County. He was an active member of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce serving on various committees. He is a former member of the Board of Directors of Columbus YMCA, Board of Directors at Heritage Academy, Board of Directors of American Red Cross and Salvation Army. He was a former member of Columbus Jaycees and Columbus Lions Club. For years he taught ballroom dancing and taught the Court to waltz for the Columbus Pilgrimage Ball.

He was also a member of the First Baptist Church since 1959, where he was an ordained deacon and was instrumental in organizing the first couples Sunday School class at First Baptist.

Bob was a youth director at the YMCA and  then began his career in the real estate profession. His business accomplishments include being an owner/partner in one of the very first Real Estate franchised companies in Columbus/Lowndes County with 30+ years in real estate. Consistent Million Dollar(+) producer for 20 years., Charter member and Life Member of Columbus Board of Realtors Million Dollar Club. Bob shared honors with his late wife Beth while affiliated with Century 21 / Deep South Properties as Regional Centurion and as the top Sales Listing and Referral Agent. He was a graduate of Mississippi Realtors Institute, Realtors Master Marketing Designation, past president of Columbus Board of Realtors and past Realtor of the year for the Columbus Board. He was an active member for 31 years in the Columbus Board of Realtors and the National Association of Realtors.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Beth Vail Keys, his daughter Kim Keys Dickey, his sisters Ella Craft, Jean Teegarden, Ethelda Grant, Toni Stanley and his brother , Ray Keys.

Survivors include his son Bobby Keys (Kimberly) Atlanta , GA, his daughter Kendyl White(Mike) Albany, GA, his brother Don Keys(Alice) of Arkansas, and nine grandchildren Rachel Reynolds Cox ( Ben), Taylor Reynolds Barfield (Jeff), Reed Reynolds, Max White ( Allison), Zach White, Matt Dickey(Hannah), Brad Dickey(Chelsea), Evan Keys and Steely Keys.

The pallbearers will be Matt Dickey, Ken Faulkner, Kevin Faulkner, Reed Reynolds, Max White and Zach White.

The honorary pallbearers will be Frank Griffin, Sonny Richardson, Howard Fisackerly, Billy Swedenburg, Ben Chilcutt, Bobby Hooks , Jimmy Graham and Richard Prouty.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to “Because He Lives” Campaign First Baptist Church, PO Box 829, Columbus, MS 39703. <iframe id="tukios_player_512x330" allowfullscreen="true" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="330" scrolling="no" src="https://www.tributeslides.com/videos/embedded_video/XFK68YGHZG7FJ5QZ" width="512"></iframe>