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Obituary For James L. Keel
Rev. James L. Keel of New Site, Alabama passed away Thursday, January 10, 2019 at Russell Medical.
Funeral Service for Pastor Rev. Dr. James L. Keel of New Site, Alabama will be conducted 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 19, 2019 at Mt. Zion Baptist Church with interment following in Mt.Godfrey Church Cemetery.
Visitation will be Friday, January 18, 2018 from 2:00 until 6:00 p.m.
Professional Service provided by Wright's Funeral Home
Rev. Dr. James Keel, Sr. was born May 2, 1937 in Claredon, North Carolina to the late Rev. Isaiah Keel and Delphia Hill Keel.
Leroy as he was called was the second oldest son of six children three brothers and two sisters. Dr. Keel was raised in a Christian home. He was blessed to receive an early religious education from his father a graduate of Morris College, Sumpter, South Carolina and founder of the college’s extension in Conway. Through this spiritual guidance, he confessed Christ at twelve years of age, he was baptized and joined the First Baptist Church of Clarendon. Subsequent to receiving his early education in the Claredon Elementary Schools. Dr. keel studied agriculture at the Tabor City High School, Tabor City, North Carolina. An enterprising young an of God, he joined his father in business after graduation, managing the family farm. After a few years and a dream, Dr. Keel knew he had to move on. In search of God’s meaning, he relocated to New York and established residency in Roosevelt, Long Island. The year was 1959 and what good year it was; especially since shortly thereafter, he met and married the late Myrtle Hall. The union of these young people was blessed with the birth of two children: a daughter, Delphine; and a son who preceded him death James, Jr. They later moved to Hempstead, New York and joined the South Hempstead Baptist Church under the pastorate of Dr. W.C. Evans. Ever hungry for the word and knowledge of God’s work, Dr. Keel studied Leadership Training at the Baptist educational Center of New York under the direction of Dr. Stanley Kemp. In Addition, he studied at the Liberty Bible Institute, Lynchburg, Virginia and at Hampton, Virginia.
Continuing to Heed the Master’s Call, Dr. Keel decided to accept his calling to stand in John’s shoes, confessing his call to the Gospel ministry on December 10, 1967. He was licensed at his home church, South Hempstead Baptist Church by his Pastor and father in the Ministry, Dr. W.C. Evans. For the next three years, he preached at various churches, singing with the Four Stars of Hempstead, New York prior to accepting his first pastorate at the Holy Trinity Baptist Church of Hempstead, Dr. Jessie Witherspoon, Founder. After six months he was ordained and served faithfully, while maintaining his relationship as a Son of South Hempstead Baptist Church. Once again, God moved and returned him to the east side of Roosevelt– 132 Frederick Avenue across the street from his original place of residence upon arriving in New York. God certainly is God, all by God’s self! Led by the Spirit, Dr. Keel accepted the pastorate of the Calvary Baptist Church in1974 He remained faithful to God and the Calvary Baptist Church family. A selfless servant, Dr. Keel, after only a year, relinquished his employment in order to pastor full time. Perhaps the most visible growth under Dr. Keel was his spirituality. From the instituting of Bible Study to the visible presence of the Lord. Dr. Keel has licensed a number of preachers who are now serving as pastors in various parts of the country, and baptized countless others. He stayed, taught, preached, prayed, studied, and by the grace of God through the divinity of Jesus Christ, and lived the words! Reverend Dr. James L. Keel was a powerful preacher, teacher, leader and Man of God as well as, visionary Pastor the Calvary Baptist Church, Roosevelt, New York where retired after 34 years.
Dr. Keel was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 56 years Myrtle L. and his brothers, Henry Keel, Willie Keel, David Keel and one sister, Alice Bellamy.
On January 10, 2019 surrounded by the love of his daughter, he joined his wife, Myrt and his son, James, Jr. giving his family his usual thumbs up.
Leroy’s leaves to carry on his legacy and cherish his precious memories; his loving and devoted daughter, Delphine Keel of New Site, Alabama; seven grandchildren, Nickisha Livington, Michelle Thompson, Sharon Lewis, Monique Keel, Olivia Keel, Benjamin H. Lewis, Jr., and James L. Keel, III; four adopted grandchildren; Laportia Hackworth, Damien Hackworth, Aiesha Hicks, Eric Hackworth, Jr.: eight great grand children, Rashawn Livington, Malcolm Livington, Aiyana Livington, Maleka Thompson, Armel Thompson, Amaya Yelverton, Mylah Yelverton and his best friend and heart Caiden Leroy Harris Lewis, one sister, Pearlene Kelly, one sister-in-God, Dorothy Hackworth, nine sisters-in-law, Rosa Wyckoff, Ora Keel, Gladys Stowes, Faye Hall, Diane Hall, Judy Hall, Dorothy Hall, Tula Knight, Alice Hall; seven brothers-in-law, Ike Kelly, John Wyckoff, Benny Hall, Edmond Hall, Lavoy Hall, Willie Hall, and Henry Hall, two god daughters, Nia Lassiter, Amber Baker: one godson, Eric Hackworth, Sr.; two special friends, Benjamin H. Lewis, Sr. Andrew Harris and a host of children he mentored (Pops), nieces, nephews, cousins, ministers and friends.
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Add A CondolenceJehovah God said that there is going to be a ressurection of both the righteous and the unrighteous at john5,:28,29
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