SUFFOLK – Bessie Keys, 73, of 7121 Elwood Road, Suffolk, Va., died Sunday, March 15, 2009 in Sentara Obici Hospital. She was a native of Nansemond County, Va., and daughter of the late Roosevelt Douglas and Caroline Bradshaw Douglas. She was also predeceased by her husband, Charlie Keys.

She was a member of Zion Christian Church and its usher board.

She leaves to cherish her memory two daughters, Ella Boone (James) and Lizzie Lawrence, both of Suffolk; five sons, Charlie Keys Jr. (Malinda), of Franklin, Va., Norris E. Keys and Morris L. Keys (Dondie), both of Suffolk, Ardell Keys (Rom), of Suitland, Md., and Romeo Singh, of Franklin; 17 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren; one sister, Catherine Copeland, of Suffolk; one brother, Roosevelt Douglas Jr., of Patterson, N.J.; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, March 20, 2009 at Zion Christian Church, officiated by the Rev. Ben Fitzgerald III. Interment will be in Zion Christian Church Cemetery. Crocker Funeral Home, Inc. is handling the arrangements.