Mrs. Gladys Marie Keyes affectionately known as “Madear”, was born on October 8, 1916 in Tryon, North Carolina and passed away peacefully from this life on July 9, 2011. She was adopted and raised by the late Rev. Radway and his wife Willie E. Radway who loved her dearly. Gladys attended the local schools in Tryon, N.C. and later she and her parents moved to Jacksonville, Florida where she continued her education. Gladys met the late Earl Keyes who was serving in the United States Army as a Corporal. They dated for awhile and on August 2, 1941 she married him and to this union eight daughters were born. Gladys was a faithful member of West Union Baptist Church where she joined back in the 70’s and sang in the choir for many years. Gladys attend services on a regular basis until her health fell. She worked for over 40 years in the laundry industry and was employed with New York Laundry of Downtown Jacksonville, and later with Duval Laundry which she was blessed to retire.

Madear had a passion to serve others and inspired the life of many.

She is preceded in death by Rev. & Mrs. Radway (parents), Ruth Dunlap (biological mother), Earl Keyes (husband), Ethel Sullivan (adopted sister).

She leaves to cherish her memories her daughters, Patricia Bannister, Boston, MA., Earlene Goff-Foster (Carlson) Jacksonville, FL., Constance J. Keyes, Jacksonville, FL., Pastor Joyce Stone, Jacksonville, FL., Gladys Carter (James) Boston, MA., Cegges Grant, Jacksonville, FL., Glenda “Precious” Davis, Ft. Valley, GA., Wanda K. Jackson (Wesley Sr.) Jacksonville, FL.; twenty-four grandchildren; thirty-four great grandchildren; and Four great-great grandchildren; Cornell Dunlap (Beatrice) her brother and sister in law whom she met for the first time in 2008. Brother in laws, Bishop Desso Benjamin (Mildred), Alphonso Benjamin Jacksonville, FL.; nieces, Mary Sullivan and Marilyn Ruffin (David); nephews, S.B. Junior and Sherman Sullivan, Akron, Ohio; A dear and devoted friend of over 50 years, Doris Hardy, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends

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