Obituary of Joyce M. Keith

Joyce Keith, 83, of Mountain Home, passed away on December 3, 2021 of COVID-19. She was adored by all who knew her and was dearly loved by her family, piano students, church congregation, and friends.

 

Joyce grew up in London, Kentucky where she played piano at church before her feet could even reach the pedals. There she met the love of her life, Gilmore Keith. They agreed to get married while she rode on the handlebars of his bicycle. Together they raised two daughters and traveled the country as Gil served in the military. In 1969 they landed in Mountain Home. Every Sunday for years her home could be found filled to the brim with a constant flow of young adults from the church laughing, talking, and eating breakfast.

 

She worked for many years as a paralegal and loved her career. Later she taught piano lessons and gushed over each of her students endlessly.

 

She loved to laugh, a sound that will be forever missed. Her commitment to others and God was unparalleled which made her all the more loved by those she met. She was an uncommon and wonderful combination of kindness, selflessness, stubbornness, and independence; and she made the best apple pie.

 

After losing her husband to Alzheimer in 2008 she continued to upkeep the home and land they built together until the end of her life. Gil planted grass and trees all over their property to remind her of Kentucky. There she helped raise her grandchildren, hosted countless holidays and celebrations, burned tumbleweeds, mended hoses, and everything else that went along with maintaining the home that she dearly loved.

 

Joyce is survived by her brother Roy, daughters Nancy and Arrie, and her four grandchildren Seth, Emily, Logan and Scott. She is preceded in death by her parents, brother Troy, daughter Melissa, and husband Gil. While her family is heartbroken by her loss, they celebrate knowing she is reunited with the love of her life.

 

A ceremony is planned for the spring when it can be safely held outdoors. She will be interred next to her husband and baby daughter in Mountain View Cemetery, and a portion of her ashes will be spread in the rolling green hills of Kentucky that she missed and called home.

 

Cremation under the care of Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel.

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