John was a talented musician, playing with prominent Southern rock bands including Molly Hatchett and Lynyrd Skynyrd; with well-known Valley area guitarist Billy Earl McClellan; the Midlife Crisis Band; and most recently, the Big Injun Band, whose members will serve as pallbearers.  He was also a talented competitive stock car driver who, according to a dear longtime friend, “enjoyed discussing at length his successes and shortcomings.”  John shared, with all who would listen, his faith in a risen Savior, for whom he witnessed, about whom he talked, and whom he served. Said a friend: “John preached a sermon the last six years that was beyond anything I’ve ever heard.” Friends and acquaintances knew of his passing within an hour or two. Few in the area did not know him, or know of him. As he continued to weaken, his eyes closed, but friends and loved ones knew he could hear them. In the last moment of his life he opened his eyes, smiled as if he was viewing something we obviously could not see, and passed out of this life into the arms of the Lord that he served.  His loving wife Donna said, ”He was my best friend, he was the love of my life, and I was the love of his life. He loved with a big heart. He loved like there’s no tomorrow. He loved Lanier regardless of what Lanier did or said; it was unconditional love, and how proud he was of him.”

He is survived by his wife, Donna Hull Keith; one son, John William Lanier Keith; two brothers, Joseph Allen Keith and James Lanier Keith; mother-in-law Ruby Adamson Hull; sisters-in-law Cheryl Hull Cole and Deborah Hull Workman; four nephews, Jamie Jamison, David Peacock, Josh and Jeremy Cole; three nieces, Caroline Elizabeth Keith, Della Jamison and Deanna Dewberry Jackson; many other relatives and dear friends.