Sallye Keith
Sallye Theodosia Jones Keith was born in Galesburg, Illinois in 1923. She was 96 years young at the time of her death.
Inspired by a humanitarian heart Sallye Keith an Illinois native, came to Beaumont in 1957 to join family and to work for the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) where she impacted the lives of thousands of young people. Keith has received numerous tributes and awards from organizations including the Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Lamar University, the Boy Scouts of America Three Rivers Counsel’s Distinguished Citizen of the Year, American Hearts Association Golden Triangle Chapters “Woman with Heart” and the Gift of Life’s Julie Rogers “Spirit of Love” Award.
Survivors include her cousins, Wallace and Lucille Bryan; Mike and Elaine Culver; Ann Serafino and her life partner, James Callas; Mart and Gloria Serafino; Bryan and Kerri Serafino; Bill and Cindy Bryan; Cindy and Roland Williams; Betty and Bill Richey; special friends and angels, J.B. Booker, Veronica Maldonado, and Dory Cruz, and countless cousins and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William C. Keith; and cousins, Walter and Guy Culver, Walter Culver Jr., Charles and Jean Serafino; Currin and Natalie Bryan.
A gathering of Mrs. Keith’s family and friends will be from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m., Sunday, October 27, 2019, at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. Her funeral service will be 11:00 a.m., Monday, October 28, 2019, at First United Methodist Church, 701 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, with her interment to follow at Magnolia Cemetery, Beaumont.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 10900-B Stonelake Boulevard, Suite 320, Austin, Texas 78759; the Julie Rogers Gift of Life Program, 2390 Dowlen Road, Beaumont, Texas 77706; the Humane Society of Southeast Texas, P.O. Box 1629, Beaumont, Texas, 77704; the Christus Southeast Texas Foundation, 2830 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, Texas 77702, or an organization of one’s choice.
Video
Magnolia Cemetery
Magnolia Cemetery
- 2291 pine st beaumont tx 77703
Funeral Service
Funeral Service
- 701 calder beaumont tx 77701
- 10/28/2019
- 11:00 am
- 2000 mcfaddin street beaumont tx 77701
- 10/27/2019
- 3:22 am
Comments
Dianna Montalbano Braquet
Sally’s Jones Keith saw the possibilities in me as a middle school student. As a result I became a working member of the YWCA’s Summer Camps. Her trust and encouragement was formative in my talents and values. I majored in music and served as a music teacher and produced children’s theatre for 30 years. I am not an exception. Sally’s Jones Keith motivated so many to realize their dreams. Thank you, Ms. Jones (Keith) I will never forget you.
Sydney L Matthews
LOVE
Joyce Haese
So full of faith joy and energy
Becky & Rodney Ames
Sallye was a long time friend and will be greatly missed. She always gave back to our community and up until recently we would see Sallye at various events that we attended. Beaumont has lost a unique individual. Sorry we will not be able to attend the services. Becky & Rodney Ames
Bonnie and Robert Madden
Lovely generous lady who will be missed by many!
Sheila Friedeck
Sallye was a woman of grace, dignity, wit, wisdom and charm. She had the vision, determination, the leadership, and the work ethic to see what needed to be done — and make sure that it got done. She wrote some big checks, but she did SO much more for Beaumont. She contributed to the foundation upon which decades of this community’s progress was built. To say she was loved and will be missed is an understatement. I am only one of the masses whose life she touched.
Margaret Olona Koncaba
Sallye used to come into the Pig Stand where I managed for many years. I would run her home after she ate since she usually took a cab or had someone bring her to eat. She was a very loving and giving lady. At the end of the Pig Stands days, she offered to donate money to keep it going- Sallye loved her neighborhood and community. Always giving back. She will be dearly missed by many people. May she rest in peace. God Bless
Phyllis M. Miller
Someone described her best as being like a kind fairy godmother! She was always opening her heart to help others and make dreams come true. I will always remember her generosity in helping purchase a bus for the Wesley UMC Bus Ministry. I also have fond memories of the little red train caboose that she used to serve snow cones and snacks out of at the fair long ago on Gulf Street. Mrs. Keith was truly an angel on earth and now she has joined the angels above.
Debbie Holton
I have fond memories of Mrs. Sallye when I used to go to camp at YWCA. Those were the best childhood memories that I will never forget. Her countless hours to this community for all her work will never be forgotten. Thank you Mrs. Sallye. Prayers for your family during this difficult time.. .
Judy Morton
no words are adequate in thanking this wonderful lady for all she has done.
James Callas
Sallye, I am writing in gratitude for all you did for Scouting and the Scouts in this area. Your late husband Bill was an Eagle Scout and he loved Scouting as well. Perhaps you have followed our slogan better than anyone else I know. The Scout Slogan is to "Do A Good Turn Daily" and I know you strived for that and more. I saw you many times do that, like with the young Indian Girl "Morning Star" at the Coushatta PowWow in Kinder, LA. John Wesley (1703-1791) Anglican Clergyman and Evangelist describes your life best of all and he said: Do all the Good you Can By all the Means you Can In all the Ways you Can In all the Places you Can At all the Times you Can To all the People you Can As Long as Ever you Can
Charles Lindsey Britnell
She was one sweetest Lady that I ever knew through the Julie Rogers Gift of Life
mike cacioppo
sallye gave me my first real job. when i was in high school, family friend, debbie bando, had a summer job at the y under the direction of sallye. debbie suggested to sallye that i could help the kids with art. sallye gave me the job,& it was a great experience. over the last 50 years i have always known her to be a kind, generous & always friendly person. i noticed that she could always be counted on to help every charity in town & that she would help when very few others would. sallye touched so many people's life's including mine. i am thankful for her & beaumont owes a debt of gratitude. mike cacioppo
anita s. fournier
Such a lovely lady....and so saddened she is gone. I extend sympathy to the family.