Mrs. Anne Dickerson "Paw Paw" Keyes' Obituary
Survived by her husband of 63 years: Fred W. Keyes,
Children: Kathy Keyes (Sam Smith), Delle Anne (Tommy) Duke, Kimberly (Kenny) Foglesong, Darcy (Cary) Vinson, Rosemary Smith, Timothy (Connie) Keyes, and Kellye Keyes (Marilyn)
Grandchildren: Erin, Anne Elise, Devin, Ryan, Wesley, Alissa, Warren, Saul, Kacy, Leslie, Andrea, Randal, Jake, Kati, Jeffrey, and Becca
Great grandchildren: Ryder, Lily, Macy, Molly, Cash, Chloe, Luke, Levi, Elsen, Everett, Jaycie, and Kalub and Bella
Preceded in death by son, Fred W. Keyes, Jr., and parents, Cloye and LaDelle Dickerson.
Anne Dickerson Keyes was born October 6, 1931 in Nashville, the only child of Cloye and LaDelle Dickerson. Both of her parents came from large families, and Anne was especially loved by her aunts Ethelyne, Mary, and Marie.
Anne attended Inglewood Elementary School and graduated from Isaac Litton High School in 1950. She married Fred W. Keyes in 1952, and by the summer of 1962, they had eight children. The family lived in the Inglewood community in Nashville. Fred travelled to make a living for his large family, and Anne managed the home. Like most moms, she played many roles, among them, organizer, cook, laundrywoman (cloth diapers—remember?), and homework supervisor. Anne and Fred had a standing date every Saturday night, which included a child-free trip to the grocery store. Anne’s parents, Cloye and LaDelle Dickerson, helped on school evenings with dinner and baths. Louise Garner assisted with ironing and housework.
Sunday and holiday dinners have always been a special gathering time for the Keyes family. Anne’s parents started the Sunday dinner tradition, and Anne and Fred began hosting the dinner when her mother had to give it up. Friends were always invited, and as the Keyes family grew, so did the guest list. Last year, Anne and Fred fed Thanksgiving dinner to over 50 family members and friends.
In 1976, Ann and Fred became the new grandparents of Erin and Kacy. In 1994, they became the very experienced grandparents of Becca and Saul, bringing the total to sixteen grandchildren, eight boys and eight girls. Anne loved being “Paw Paw,” as she was named by Erin, the oldest grandchild. She was always good with babies, able to sooth even the fussiest. With the addition of the spouses of grandchildren and her eleven (so far) great-grandchildren, as well as step-grandchildren and step great-grandchildren, well over 35 people called her Paw Paw.
Anne was a sweet and modest person, always quiet and soft-spoken. She never got her driver’s license. Though she enjoyed the family Florida vacations, she was a homebody in the best sense of the word. She and Fred always dreamed of having a log cabin home, and when they built their dream house, a log home in Gallatin, she decorated it in her beloved “country” style, with furnishings from her deceased parents’ and in-laws’ homes, craft fair and flea market finds, and pictures of children, grand-children, and eventually great-grandchildren. She settled into her country house and became an avid crossword puzzle fan in her later years.
Anne found her true calling as a homemaker, creating a loving and comfortable home for her husband and children. Though she lives on in our hearts, she will be deeply missed in our lives.
Anne’s grandsons and son Timothy will serve as pallbearers.
The family of Anne Keyes wish to extend special thanks to Alive Hospice caregivers Julie Randall and Yvonne Duncan.
Anne’s family will receive friends from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday, September 25 and on Saturday, September 26 from 1 p.m. until her Celebration of Life Service at 2:30 p.m. at Spring Hill Funeral Home. Interment will be in Historic Spring Hill Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Alive Hospice in lieu of flowers.
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