In Memory of

Keith

Aaron

Obituary for Keith Aaron

Keith Rodwell Aaron was born on November 1, 1942 in Georgetown, British Guiana, now the Republic of Guyana. He was called home to be with the Lord on September 12, 2018 in Greenville, South Carolina. Keith was the youngest child of Wilfred Caleb Aaron and Myra Aaron (nee Griffith), and the brother of Stephen, Elsa, Neville (Bert) Aaron Monroe, and Robert, who was Joyce’s twin, all of whom predeceased him. Joyce Aaron of Queens, New York is the only remaining sibling.

In 1953, at the very tender age of 11 years old, Keith experienced profoundly tragic losses. First, his mother passed away then his sister Elsa, followed by his father three months later. He lived with his maternal cousin Elise and her children and his older brother Stephen in Brickdam, Georgetown for the next two years. At age 13 he went to live with his Aunt, Catherine Rebecca Nestor (nee Aaron), a widow with a large family of 12 children and several grandchildren at their home, NESTVILLE, in Newtown, Kitty. Keith was a resilient boy and soon found a niche among the vibrant group of cousins, particularly with the grandchildren who were closer to his age. The large household was always buzzing with activity. Friends gathered on the weekends to discuss politics, especially the looming independence of British Guiana, listen to music and play ping pong and dominoes. But education was always the dominant focus of the family. Keith was not only nurtured and guided by his Aunt Catherine but he equally had the love and support of his Aunt, Victorine Aaron and Uncle, Reginald Aaron, siblings of his father. Keith thrived in this environment, developing both spiritually and intellectually into a conscientious young man.

In his formative years, Keith first attended St. Andrews Primary School and then transferred to Comenius Moravian School in Queenstown. A naturally bright and curious student, he then attended Tutorial High School where he excelled. After graduation, he became a teacher at Fountain AME Primary School in Queenstown where some of his students included a few of his younger first cousins. In 1965, Keith gained employment at the Demerara Bauxite Company (DEMBA) in McKenzie, now Linden. He began as a Fitter and Welder, earning considerably more than his teaching job.

In 1970 Keith married Glenis Cappel. The union produced three children: Karen, Kelvin and Dawn. They were divorced in 1985. Keith was also the father of Wade and Cynette Jeffrey.

Ambitious and seeking advancement to support his young family, Keith enrolled at the University of Guyana where he first earned a certificate in Management and then pursued studies toward a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology. Although he came close, he never completed his degree. Nonetheless, his ingenuity and sound work ethic resulted in a promotion to Safety Officer while working at the Bauxite Company. The job required an intense level of scrutiny, attention to detail, and first-hand knowledge of all policies pertaining to the safety of all employees working in the Bauxite Plant. He had to ensure that safety practices and procedures were observed by the workers at all times. Keith was later employed at Guyana Mining Enterprise Limited (GUYMINE), then at Guyana Electricity Corporation (GEC), in Georgetown, where he served in various roles but also as a Safety Officer. He wanted to work in the City, to be closer to his growing children.

Keith also had an entrepreneurial spirit. He managed a Taxi Service and operated a bakery out of his home. He was well known for his skill in pastry making. Additionally, he followed in the footsteps of his father, grandfather and uncles, exploring his passion for designing and crafting wood. He was a natural craftsman, and even without much formal training, he was good enough to be hired by Newtown Arts & Crafts in Georgetown. His skill in woodwork evolved into some of the most exquisite artifacts and souvenirs being made in Guyana at that time. His pieces continue to adorn the homes of many relatives and friends here in the US, Guyana, England, the Caribbean, and Canada. More important, as a single parent, his craft also provided another stream of income for his family. Keith’s love of his children was exemplified by the remarkable relationship he shared with them. The care and support of his children took precedence over everything else.

Shortly after he began working at DEMBA, Keith purchased a Honda P.100 motorcycle, a fashionable trend for young men at the time. He rode from Georgetown to Linden, a total of 56 miles each way, on roads not designed for speed and treacherous when it rained. He would spend Monday to Friday in Linden and returned to Georgetown for the weekend. Later, when he had his own family he would make the roundtrip commute by car every day. Keith was a very popular young man known to his close friends as both “Budup” and “Zipper.” In his youth, he was a member of the Boys Brigade and in his late teens, he played cricket for a short while but his true passion was for soccer; he became an avid player until his early thirties. Keith had a wonderful sense of humor and a gusty laugh; oh, what a laugh it was. He loved to read Western novels. His favorite authors were Louis Lamour and Zane Grey.

Keith was a man of strong faith, even in his younger years. He confirmed his faith in the Moravian Church during his early teens and was active in the Youth Fellowship. Later in life, he became actively involved in the Truth for The Final Generation Church where he became an ordained minister in August 2003 and also served as Treasurer for a number of years. During this time he traveled on multiple occasions to Barbados for camps and training.

In his later years, Keith’s health began to fail. In an effort to care for him, Karen, Kelvin and Dawn brought him to live with them in South Carolina.

Left to mourn our beloved Keith are his children, Karen Bobb, Kelvin, Dawn, Wade Jeffrey, Cynette Jeffrey; son-in-law, Olwyn Bobb; grandchildren: Johannes Bobb, Savana Britton, Tevin Jeffrey, Jevon Jeffrey, Shariis Jeffrey, Tarique Jeffrey, Tyrece Jeffrey, Taryll Jeffrey, Tramere Jeffrey; great grandchildren: Lavany and Lavana Britton; sister, Joyce Aaron; nephews and nieces: Dr. Ronald Aaron, Ann Baird, Neville Monroe, Jr, Jacqueline Nedd, Marilyn and Yvette Monroe; great nephews and nieces : Akeem, Jayden, and Azeem Monroe, Aron and Rohan Nedd, Monai, Solana, Sionelle, and Neima Monroe; cousins Evelyn Duesbury of Guyana, Leonard Nestor of England, Olivia McCammon, Yvonne Grant, Winston (Canada), Colin, Aubrey, Julian, John and Reginald Aaron, Anne Austin, Patsy Scarder-Hellfors; sister-in-law: Eulalee Monroe; and many other cousins in the USA, Canada, England, the Caribbean and Guyana, including the following families: Aaron, Nestor, Washington, Grant, Noel, Freso, Morgan, Griffith, Millington, Duesbury, McCammon, Saul-Joseph, Armstrong, McPherson, Kellman, Jordan, Campbell, Jones, Greaves, Ashe, Dillon, Jones-Weekes, Ryan, Vickerie, Canzius, Blair, Thompson, Barker, Sears, Khalin, Marshal, Mohess, Shepard, Bostwick, Kobsar, Abrams, Richards, Mon Desir, and Griffith and many other relatives and friends.

Keith will be deeply missed. May his Soul Rest in Eternal Peace.