Charles Keith Jr

Charles Edward Keith, Jr. was born on August 22, 1936, at St. John’s Hospital in Brooklyn, New York. His parents Charles Edward Keith, Sr., and Madeline Walker - Keith welcomed their bundle of joy into this world with much love. Charles, Jr. was affectionately called “JR” by his mother. However, to the other family members and his friends he was known as Keith.

Keith was educated in the New York City school system. He was an astute student. Keith attended George Washington High School in Washington Heights in Manhattan, where he graduated in 1954. While attending high school Keith met lifelong friends who remained his friends for 70 plus years. Keith attended New York City College; he majored in English and Latin.

In the mid 50’s, Keith, and his friends from high school, formed a club. At first the club was known as Collegiate, then later the name was changed to Rank and File. The founding members of this club were Richard Kynard (Red), Charles Keith, Jr. (Keith), Harry Burwell, David Smith (Dave), Walter Hunt, James Doman, Kenneth Sydnor, Cordel O’Connor, Ozzie and Bill. They were Brothers in Arms. Today, there are 4 surviving members of the club.

In 1957, Keith joined the United States Marine Corps. He was sent to Camp Le Jeune, North Carolina, to complete basic training. After graduation he was stationed at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. After his tour in the Marine Corps, Keith returned home to New York City.

Keith enjoyed living life in the city. His favorite sport was basketball. The fact that he was 6’2” gave him the advantage of scoring points. Keith and his club members of Rank and File played basketball at the Rucker Basketball Court in Harlem, which is located near the Polo Grounds site in Harlem. As much as he enjoyed living life in the city, he also enjoyed and looked forward to spending summers in the country in Pennsylvania. Specifically in Rosedale and Avondale, PA.

He loved his cousins Leila, Delores, BB and Tommy. They stuck together like glue; no one could pull them apart. The one person who brought him much joy and happiness was his cousin Clarissa Reid. They loved each other so much. When Keith said that he was going to be visiting Avondale, Clarissa would cook all day preparing his favorite dishes. This is what you would call, “Good ole down-home cooking”. Good for the soul, slap ya mama, good!

After he was discharged from the Marines, he worked as a postal employee for the United States Postal Service. After leaving the post office, Keith worked as a Corrections Officer for the New York Department of Corrections. He then became a Police Officer and worked for the NYPD. Keith retired from the New York City Transit Authority as a bus driver.

Charles E. Keith, Jr. departed this life on August 22, 2022, on the day of his birth.

Keith’s only son, Charles Cunningham (Charlie) from Lansdowne, Pennsylvania preceded him in death.

Keith leaves to mourn, Daughters: Lenore Domond; Karen Hawks, Folsom, PA; Monique Keith, Bronx, NY; Kimberly Keith-Thompson, Durham, NC.

Grandchildren: Jasmine Hawks, Folsom, PA; Jaquan Hawks, New Rochelle, NY; Javonte Hawks, Folsom, PA; Shane Cunningham, Lansdowne, PA; Cameron and Chase Cunningham, Springfield, PA; Chantia Keith, Bronx, NY; Kayla Morgan Thompson and Madison Janae Thompson, Durham, NC; Qiana Davis, Fort Worth, TX, Amiyah Thomas, Bx, NY.

Great Grandchildren: Vermeil Geathers, Philadelphia, PA; Julianna and Emilia Cunningham, Lansdowne, PA.

Great, Great Grandchildren: Malaysia and Zeri Geathers, Philadelphia, PA.

First Cousins: Delores Lawless, Bay Area, CA; Grace Walker

Special Friends: Pearl Cunningham, Eleanor Clarke

Friends: Raynard, Tyrone, and Ilene Smith

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ATTENTION: During the continuing COVID-19 crisis, as it phases back into small capacity public visitations/services, we need your help in limiting and controlling the number of people inside, so please govern yourself accordingly for the health & safety of all. Thank you so kindly!

You MUST come to the church & cemetery wearing a mask, & wear a mask inside the church, and social distance as much as possible at all times. A Visitation/Wake will be held on Fri., Sept. 9th from 10:00-10:30AM at St. Philip's Church in Harlem, followed by Funeral Service at 10:30AM. But the family will be live-streaming the service on ZOOM, also available on our website, the day of the service where it says WATCH WEBCAST, so you're able to view on ZOOM/there/here also/instead. So you may come to the church to attend, with your masks on. At the very least you can get hand sanitizer & sign the register book (NOTE: please feel free to bring your own pen). If not at capacity, you will be allowed in to have a seat, so please govern yourself accordingly. Regardless of if you're able to enter/be seated, or not, please refrain from touching/hugging/handshaking, ONLY elbow bumping briefly if at all. If instructed, PLEASE KINDLY RESPECTFULLY leave the building & premises if the church is at their capacity. PLEASE KINDLY RESPECTFULLY follow & abide by the directions of the funeral home staff and/or church or cemetery personnel at all times. We Thank You in advance for following directions & policies, so as to make all go smoothly the day of the services, to eliminate further burden on the family, and to maintain the health & safety of All. Any questions, or if any clarity is needed, please call ahead to the funeral home and/or church, and/or speak to us from a safe distance if present.

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The Entire Staff of Lee's Funeral Home, LLC respects that the family of Charles E. Keith, Jr. entrusted the care of their loved one to us, and that they value the level of service & attention our funeral home provides. We are honored, in turn, to provide comfort, assistance and service to the family of Charles E. Keith, Jr. during their time of bereavement.

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Please leave written condolences now herein on the Memory Wall to express your sorrow, share your memories, and as an expression of sympathy & way to communicate with/offer comfort to the family, that they and others may see, and may be a lasting tribute in his honor, whether you're able to attend or not. Definitely Please SIGN IN on the Memory Wall as a virtual way of signing the register book, especially if choosing to stay safe/not able to sign in person.

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You MUST come to the church & cemetery wearing a mask, & wear a mask inside the church/social distance as much as possible at all times. You must use hand sanitizer upon entering the church. If you know you have a coronovirus/COVID-19; are sick/experiencing symptoms of coronovirus/COVID-19; are immuno-compromised and/or have health/other conditions that make your body more susceptible to illness, please do NOT attend any services nor come into the church. Please feel free to bring & use your own pen for signing the family's register book - you are encouraged to please BRING & use your own PEN for signing. Please follow & abide by the rules of the church, and directions of the funeral home staff, church and/or cemetery personnel at all times. We Thank You in advance for following directions & policies, so as to make all go smoothly the day of the services, to eliminate further burden on the family, and to maintain the health & safety of All. Any questions, or if any clarity is needed, please call ahead to the church and/or funeral home, and/or speak to us from a safe distance if present.

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As a lasting tribute, you may choose to plant a tree, and/or a contribution may be made in his name/memory/honor to a charity of your choice. If sending flowers, they may be delivered either on Thurs. Sept. 8th, 2022 by/before 6:00PM to Lee's Funeral Home, and/or on Fri. Sept. 9th by 10:30am to St. Philip's Church in Harlem. The Family Thanks You!