Wilma Lorraine Keys

Wilma Lorraine Keys passed away on July 30, 2024, after a brief illness. She was born on February 26, 1927, to the late Theodore and Leila Odessa Meekins in Manteo, NC. She continued to maintain strong ties to Manteo throughout her life.

In her youth, a fortune teller predicted Wilma would marry a farmer. She met her husband, Lenwood D. Keys, Sr., while he was working a summer job in Manteo. Although Lenwood was not a farmer, they married on September 11, 1947. She joined him in Washington, DC after he completed his studies at Howard University.

After moving to Washington, DC, Wilma raised her children, made lifelong friends, and attended church. She worked as a nurse at the National Lutheran Home and Providence Hospital. She always loved children and enjoyed working at Children’s Hospital National Medical Center, where she spent nearly 30 years before retiring as a secretary.

Wilma was preceded in death by her parents, siblings; William, Melford, Maggie, Ossie, Annie, and Nicholas, niece; Barbara Young, nephews; William Drake, Jr., and James H. Meekins and God-daughter Benita Jones.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her husband of 77 years, sons; Willie (Wanda) Meekins, Lenwood (Joyce) Keyes, Jr., and Maurice (Shawn) Keys, brother; Theodore Roosevelt Meekins, niece; Thelma (Jessie) Owens, who she helped raise, ten grand-children; Willie Meekins Jr., Lisa Seegers, Nichelle Hilton, Donald McCoy, DeBraire Meekins, Erika Keyes, Shontelle Bishop, Jana Mayo, Aidan Keys, and Landon Keys, God-daughter Carol Muleta, 13 great-grandchildren, four great-great grandchildren, and host of nieces, nephews, and other relative and friends.

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