Timothy Keys

Timothy Lamond Keys, the fourth of eight children, was born October 7, 1962 in St. Louis, Missouri to Vassar and Barbara Keys. He attended school in St. Louis and graduated from Southwest High School where in 1977 he was the first African American student to ever play the piano in any production on the school stage.

Tim accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Pastor Andrew Lee Smith. It was here that he began his lifelong career as a musician as the pianist for the Junior Choir.

After graduating from high school, Tim relocated to Kansas City, Missouri. There he met and married in July of 1990 the love of his life, Saundra Saxton whom he affectionately called “Lou”. Four years later they gave birth to their first born, Sauntymia (Booba) who was later joined by two more sisters, Tanaya (Binky) and Kelvey (Stinka). They made their home in Kansas City, Missouri until relocating to Arlington, Texas in 2003. If you talked to Tim for more than a minute, you were well aware that his wife and girls were the light of his life and that he loved them more than anything!

Tim was a self-taught musician who began playing the piano at the age of three. He humbly and faithfully served the Lord with his gifts for over 30 years. A master of the keyboards, organ, drums and bass guitar, he was often sought out by the likes of The Gospel Music Workshop of America and Rev. James Cleveland. Throughout the years, Tim served as Minister of Music for several churches in both the Kansas City and Dallas-Fort Worth areas. While in Kansas City, Tim was a member of the Complex Band and would still jam with them whenever he was in town.

And avid sports fan, Timbo, as he was lovingly called by his wife, played football and softball. When not participating, he enjoyed watching various sporting events with his daughter, Tanaya.

A master of the “que”, Tim had formally established Bodilicious BBQ and was preparing to open a location this spring. Tim’s specialties, smoked brisket and peach cobbler, were frequently requested from people all across the country.

Tim will be remembered for the endless love he had for his family, his crazy sense of humor and his compassion for all. Those remaining to cherish his memory include his devoted wife of 23 years, Saundra "Lou" Keys and their daughters, Sauntymia, Tanaya and Kelvey of the home; parents, Pastor Vassar and Barbara Keys, St. Louis, MO; brothers, Thomas (Pam), Vernon (Sonya), Markus (Renata) all of St. Louis, MO, Kristopher (Stephanie), Naperville, IL, Bryan (Kim), Jackson, TN; sisters, Vanessa Keys, St. Louis, MO and Martha (Stephan) McClendon, Kansas City, MO; mother-in-love, Betty Saxton, Kansas City, MO; a sister-in-love who he was eternally grateful to for introducing him to her sister, Vickie Hancock, neighborhood family, brothers and sisters in the music community and a host of aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters-in-love, nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and special friends.