John Thomas Keith
December 10, 1962 ~ April 1, 2007
Resided in:
Fletcher, NC
Mills River ~ John Thomas “Tommy” Keith, 44, of Mills River and Asheville, died on Sunday, April 1, 2007 at Mission Hospital – St. Joseph’s Campus. With merciful and gracious wisdom, God called him home swiftly and peacefully.
Tommy was born in Virginia but moved to Mills River at the age of 3, after the death of his father. He considered himself a native of Mills River. He was the son of the late Floyd Byron Keith and Mary Lee Greene Keith. He was preceded in death by his brother, Daniel Byron Keith. Tommy taught math and science at Heritage Hall Private School for eight years. More recently, he was the general manager of Magnolia’s Restaurant in Asheville. Prior to that, Tommy spent nearly nine years at home caring for his beloved mother before her death on September 15, 2004.
He is survived by his sister, Kathy Keith of Mills River; a brother, Bob Keith of Hendersonville; a nephew, Joshua Keith Hemsath of Hendersonville and a niece Ashley Laurel Hemsath of Mills River; aunts, Blanche “Bobbie” Bryson of Mills River, Hazel Shepherd and Ruth Ballard; special niece, Alicia Ballard Westbrook all of Hendersonville; and many, many dear and special friends.
“When we leave this world we leave behind everything that we have and we take with us everything that we are.” Tommy was a genuinely kind and gentle soul. He takes with him a legacy of unconditional love and selfless devotion to all who were blessed to know him.
In the true spirit of Tommy’s always welcoming hospitality, there will be a celebration of his life from 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, April 14, 2007 at Magnolia’s, 26 Walnut Street in Asheville.
As per his wishes, memorials may be made to Four Seasons Hospice and Palliative Care, P.O. Box 2395, Hendersonville, NC 28793.
True to his nature, he never forgot the angels there who cared for his precious mother in the days before her death.
Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian on Long Shoals Road is in charge of arrangements.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Love is stronger than death even though it can not stop death from happening, but no matter how hard death tries it can not separate people from love. It can not take away our memories either. In the end, life is stronger than death.’?
Tommy you will be truely missed!
AJ
My prayers go out to the family and friends of Tommy.
I can’t even begin to express my families sympathy to Sissy and her family. Even though we had not been in touch in a while we still loved Uncle Tommy just like we loved Uncle Keith. He came into our family when many of us needed him most and was always a blessing to whomever he came in contact with. He will be missed so very much. Now he is home with ‘Nina’ and Uncle Keith. All of our love to your family.
Tommy was a wonderful soul. He will be deeply missed.
My prayers and thoughts are with you during this most difficult time.
I met Tommy in 6th grade at Mills River school, and considered him my dearest friend. Even though we lost touch, I have thought of him innumerable times over the years. I stumbled upon his obituary this morning and am so deeply saddened to learn of his passing and so terribly sorry for his family and friends. Tommy was a sweet, caring, funny and genuinely good soul. I regret that we didn’t stay in contact, but am thankful that we were close friends for even a short while. I offer my condolences to his family and friends.
My heart goes out to each of you. You are in my prayers.
My friend Alice Mills Dunbar and I met Tommy 22 years ago while working at Heritage Hall School. We have kept in touch since; through his years at Heritage Hall, his DJing at Cinjade’s, to owning and running a small sandwich shop, to the caring and passing of his dear mother, to managing Magnolia’s and Cinjade’s. The most recent visit and the most unforgetable will be this past Saturday night; March 30. Alice and I visited Cinjade’s and spent a lot of time with Tommy(as much as he could while working). He told a story about a former student of his coming into Cindjade’s several weeks ago. He said this guy looked at him and said ‘Mr. Keith you will probably not remember me’ He said when that happens he knows it is a fomer student of his. He did remember the former student and while talking the guy told Tommy that he was the best teacher he ever had even through college. Tommy said to us; ‘Maybe I made a difference in at least 1 of the kids I taught’. We told him then that he made a difference in every life he ever touched. That is why we stayed in touch with him though the years because he made a difference in our lives, the lives of our families, and the lives of our children that he watched grow up. I am so glad we had that conversation; because he DID touch so many lives; and I hope that he knew that. Tommy will be missed so much by so many people. I hope that you will remember how he touched your life and carry that with you always. He would have really loved that.
We never had the chance to meet, though we are sure our lives would have been better had we known you. The words spoken of you are warm and loving. Gods speed to you and you family. Maybe one day we will have the pleasure of knowing you in whatever life is paved for us ahead.
I was shocked when my mom called to tell me that Tommy had passed away.Words cannot express what a special person he was and how many lives he touched.I am one of those people.I met Tommy in 1990 and became one of his students.I couldnt believe that there was a teacher out there that actually cared about his students and wanted them to succeed.He turned my life around I went from not caring about how I did in school to graduating in 1992 with A’s and I owe it all to Mr. Keith.He was an angel on earth who will be deeply missed.I feel blessed to have known him.
Words cannot express how much this man changed my life. At a time when I felt like no one cared and my life was in a downward spiral, he gave me the self esteem to turn everything around. He truly believed in every one of his students. He laughed with us, cried with us and I’m sure, many times wanted to kill us!!:) He tried his hardest to make sure everyone believed in themselves. I too have been to Cinjades and said, ‘You probably don’t remember me…’ but of course he did. Everyone meant something to him!! He always told me ‘ Always strive for excellence, reach for the stars and you’ll go far in this old world of ours’ He will be greatly missed
Tommy was a very sweet and dear person. He was always so full of life and happy. He will be missed by everyone who ever had a chance to meet him. We loved going to Mag’s because he was always so nice to us. God Bless all of his family and friends.
Dear Kathy, Having lost my brother I can feel your pain. Losing a sibling is never easy. It has been many years since we have seen or talked to one another but the feeling of you being my friend has never passed. Since I am keeping this entry private I am giving you my phone number (828)694-3823. If you need a friend to talk to just give me a call. I stopped by your mom’s place one day before she died but no one was home. I suppose Tommy had taken her to the doctor. I knew it was your brother the moment I saw Tommy Keith in the paper. I have fond memories of us at your mother’s and Tommy bugging us. Never do I pass that house without thinking of you and the times we spent there with your mother making that awesome roast and gravy of her’s. I am scheduled to work the 14th but if I can get off I want to be there. Take care my friend and God bless you. Hope after all these years you will remember me. I was Wayne and Rosa Lea Hall’s daughter. When you feel up to it please call of email me. Anita
u will be missed always and forever.
Mary Lee….I am so sorry for your loss. I really looked up to John Thomas. He was a wonderful friend to our whole family, and we will miss him very much. Donnie and I wish to send you our deepest sympathies and prayers , and hope that the lord will bless you and keep you throughout this very sad time. May god bless you and your whole family. Love, Vic and Donnie and family
I am very saddened to hear of Tommy’s death. I worked with Tommy years ago at Cinjade’s. Not only did he teach me how to be a nightclub DJ, he also taught me how to have a passion for your work and to give it your all if you want to be the best. He was no doubt the best DJ in town at that time, and he was a really good friend to me as well. I pray that God will grant peace to his family.
Kathy, I want you to know that at this place in my life I will never know how you must feel about the loss of your Brother Tommy.I will never forget the Birthday dinner we shared @the Black Forest. He was an awesome man, with the kindest, sweetest spirit…Tommy will be so very missed…
Tommy and I knew each other in High School. We had a lot of fun in the band. He was always so sweet and fun to be around. I only saw him a time or too since we graduated but thought of him often.
Dear family and friends,
I am so sorry to learn of the death of your loved one. I am sure he will be missed very much.
Death is such a hard thing to understand and accept. It can raise questions like, why do we get sick, grow old and die, when there are trees and other plant or animal life that lives to be hundreds of years old?
Through my study of the Bible I have found the answer to such questions. I have learned that we have the wonderful hope of seeing our dead loved ones again here on a paradise earth when there will be no more sickness, pain, or death. Please read Revelation 21:3-4 and John 5:28-29.
My hope is that these assured promises from God give you the comfort and hope that they give me.
If you would like to discuss further the hope of seeing our dead loved ones again, please email me at the address below.
Sincerely,
Debbie
Sissy and family,
My heart goes out to you at this most difficult time. Tommy was a light to all he met and a precious soul. His kind and loving spirit was a constant support and inspiration in my life. I know that we have another Angel watching over us now. He is home with Mary Lee and the rest of the family who have gone before him. His light will shine on with the love we carry in our hearts. Know that I keep you in my thoughts and prayers daily! I feel very blessed to have had Tommy in my life as well as you. Love, Star *
I was deeply saddened to read of Tommy’s death. Tommy was a student in my P.E. class at West High and we became friends. He sent me a corsage to wear to the jr.sr. banquet.
He was a wonderful young man leaving me such fond memories.
I met Tommy when my infant daughter went to the day care at heritage hall school. She was 3 months old, and Tommy feel in love with her. We became friends, and of course Tommy was a part of our lives for 3 years, until I got married and lost touch. But I never forgot everything he did for me and Amber. We did see him a few times over the years,but it was never enough, not what it should have been. He was a wonderful person, and he loved my daughter like she was a piece of him. I was devastated when I learned of Tommy’s death, it’s taken me 10 months to sign his guest book. I still can’t believe he’s gone. I had just thought about him, before I found out about his passing, and how I needed to call and get him and Amber together again so he could see her. I will miss him, I can never forget him. This world has lost a wonderful man, and friend.
Wishing all the best in the next life
Tommy was a kind, generous soul with a heart of gold. May his genuine, unconditional love for others carry on throughout the years by each of us who knew and loved him.
We are forever thankful for Tommy’s friendship and the memories we shared.
Asheville ONTAP Magazine