Harold Laverne Keys

Harold Laverne Keys passed away on Monday, January 2, 2023. He was born April 29, 1933. Visitation will be held on Friday, January 6, 2023 at Lakewood Funeral Home from 9 am to 11 am with a funeral service to follow. Interment at Lakewood Memorial Park.

Harold grew up in Flora, MS where he was an outstanding baseball player playing American Legion, Semi-pro and Collegiately during his playing years. He served in the U.S. Army where he was stationed in Fort Sill, Oklahoma before returning to Mississippi after his discharge. Harold was the owner of the Westhaven Shopette in West Jackson during the late 60’s and early 70’s, after which he and his wife established Carol’s Fabrics in Van Winkle Mart Shopping Center in West Jackson. He spent most of his working career as a letter carrier with the U. S. Postal Service in Jackson, MS prior to his retirement and moving to Byram, MS.

Harold was an avid Mississippi State University athletics booster, attending many MSU football and baseball games through the years. His passion continued to be baseball at the amateur level throughout his life. He served as the Commissioner for baseball operations for all Forest Hill Youth Baseball programs during the early 70’s where he was instrumental in helping to establish improvements to the facilities at Forest Hill High School such as a new scoreboard, new dugouts, and outfield fences during the time he served. He also brought about changes to how summer programs were conducted by hiring professional umpires to oversee games, institute boundaries for parental interference and ensure youth coaches were adequately trained to work with youngsters.

Harold was a long-time member of First Baptist Church of Byram.

Harold was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Carol and son, Harold, Jr. He is survived by his son, David Keys of Orange Beach, AL; daughter, Cheryl Bullock and her husband, Wayne of Canton, MS; six grandchildren, Amber Rogers of Madison, MS and her husband, Ernie, Daniel Wright of Flowood, MS, Andrew Wright of Richland, MS, Brianna Keys of San Diego, CA, Kelsey Keys Ivy of Dallas, TX and Kamryn Keys of Raleigh, NC; three great grandchildren, Anabella Rogers, Savannah Rogers and Lila Rogers.