LIMESTONE – Retha Pauline Keys, 57, fought a courageous battle during a month of treatment at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville and passed away peacefully at Alive Hospice on December 2, 2023. She was born on June 15, 1966, to Paul and Retha Thornburg in Greene County.
Pauline was a devoted any loving mother to her sons. They remained the central focus in her life.
They remained the central focus in her life. She adored all children and cherished the time she spent with her granddaughter, Sawyer. She was a hairdresser for more than 30 years. She enjoyed the friendship of many of her clients. She also enjoyed church, reading, and riding horses; and most of all, she enjoyed time with her family and friends.
She was pre-deceased by her husband, Tony Keys; her father, Paul Thornburg; and her father-in-law, Danny Keys.
Survivors include: her beloved sons, Jordy Keys and Dylan Keys; her brothers Daniel Thornburg (April); Mack Thornburg (Karen); Tim Thornburg (LuAnn); her sister, Missy Murphy; her granddaughter, Sawyer Keys, and several nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.
Pauline had two very special friends, her mother-in-law, Christine Keys and Gale Odom, and a special aunt, Rachel Ross.
There will be no formal services, but the family would like her friends and neighbors to join in a day of "Celebration and Memories" any time during the day and evening of Friday, December 8 at her home in Limestone. At 4:00 o'clock p.m., Pastor Tom Lilly will conduct a short service, and those who would like to share a memory are encouraged to attend at that time. There will be an interment at a later date.
The family is being severed by Compassion Funeral and Cremation Services of Nashville, and Jonesborough Funeral and Cremation Services.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
5 Entries
Teresa Johnson
December 7, 2023
When I moved back to Bowmantown twenty years ago Pauline started being my beautician. Little did I know she would end up being one of my best friends. We shared so many laughs but also many tears. We both shared our ups and downs of being single moms and I would get her laughing over my parenting skills.
Thats what I´m going to remember the most about my friend Pauline, her contagious laugh!
Pauline, you may be gone from this old world but you will always be in my heart and mind.
I love you forever and always.
Rest in peace my dear friend!
Connie Little
December 6, 2023
I really loved Pauline so much she did my hair when I was younger and I would follow her from the beauty shop to her home. The Lord has finally given her rest she'll be waiting there for her beloved boys she was so proud of them as they know they were her heart and soul. God be with the family their hearts will hurt and miss her smile. But I pray God will be with you all till you see her again
Rhonda Edens
December 6, 2023
Such an amazing lady with the most beautiful heart! May God comfort your family!
Bentley Murphy
December 6, 2023
Pauline was the first person to do my hair
Betty Farris
December 5, 2023
Pauline was a beautiful lady. Always so kind...With deepest sympathy to her boys and family
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