Joe Keith

Joseph Francis Keith was born on February 1, 1941, to Paul and Winnie Keith in Longview, Texas. He grew up in Longview, Harlingen, and Marfa, Texas. After graduating from McAllen High School in 1959, Joe attended the University of Corpus Christi, a Baptist college, where he met his future wife, Lynn. They were married in 1962. Joe graduated in 1963 with a Bachelor of Music Education and then enrolled at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas where he earned his Master of Church Music in 1974.

Joe served Baptist churches throughout Texas his entire life, beginning with playing the piano and organ for church services in Marfa as a young teen. In the 1960s, he spent many summers leading youth revivals around Texas. While in college at UCC, he led the music at First Baptist Church in Rockport, Texas. He later served churches in Kerens, Portland, Alvin, Houston, and Huntsville In the areas of music, youth, education, and administration. In 1987, Joe began working to help churches enter the computer age through his work with the Church Information Services division of the Baptist Sunday School Board (BSSB). Later, he transitioned to helping churches with their literature needs through the BSSB, which became Lifeway Christian Resources, from which he retired after 20 years in 2007. He also served several churches around the Fort Worth and Houston areas as an interim music minister during these years.

In his spare time, Joe enjoyed playing tennis and disc golf, and working sudoku and logic puzzles. He sang with the Singing Men of Southeast Texas for more than thirty years, played handbells with the RingForth handbell choir at The Woodlands’ First Baptist Church, and was a member of the Southern Baptist Religious Education Association. He enjoyed supporting his children and grandchildren by showing up at their various events and activities.

On the evening before his passing, Joe’s wife, children, and grandchildren gathered and sang hymns around his bedside. Early Saturday morning, with his son, Alan, by his side, Joe took his final breath and passed peacefully into heaven.

Joe Keith passed peacefully from this earth in the early morning of August 3, 2024. He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Winnie Keith, as well as his siblings, Paul Keith, Jr. and Yvonne Pitts. He is survived by his loving wife, Lynn, and their three children: Kathy Taylor (Paul), Alan Keith (Linda), and Kay Campbell (Jason). He has seven grandchildren: Susannah Gowdy (Geron), Amy Knight (Andrew), Kelly Taylor, Jonathan Campbell (Hallie), Malinda Campbell, Tara Phears (Michael) and John Jackson (Jami), and three great-grandchildren: David Phears, Bradyn Phears, and Lucy Gowdy.

Memorial donations may be made to:
- The Woodlands First Baptist Church https://thewoodlandsfirst.org/
- Texans on Mission (formerly Texas Baptist Men) https://www.texansonmission.org/
- Mission Dignity, which provides financial support to retired ministers and wives living in poverty: https://www.guidestone.org/Mission-Dignity