Ada Josephine Keyes

At the age of 103, Jodie joined the Lord on June 26, 2021 at her last residence in Las Cruces, following congestive heart failure. She was born in Dawson, Texas on May 22, 1918 and was one of eight children to Barney Elbert Green, Sr. and Lucille Rushing Green.



She moved with her family in 1924 to a New Mexico farm in East Grand Plains, southeast of Roswell. The family farmed there until 1937 when they moved to north of Artesia. Her family farmed and ran the first dairy and creamery in the area. Jodie attended Roswell High School until 1937.



On March 28th, 1937, she married Conrad Garst Keyes in Carlsbad, NM. They lived east of Artesia on the Red Lake Lease, then lived at two different locations in California. They moved back and forth from Artesia and/or Roswell from 1940-1944, and were living in Vista La Mesa, CA right before WWII ended in 1945. At that time, they returned to Roswell and stay until 1973. They then made Ruidoso, NM their home until Conrad's death in 2007.



They traveled extensively in their travel trailer over 40 years in all but four states of the continuous USA. They spent many of their winters in southern AZ. Conrad was owner of Keyes Drilling Company in Roswell and worked for the NM Highway Department, and became the Water Man for the Ruidoso area, so says his tombstone.



Jodie Keyes was called the Super Volunteer (on gravestone in Ruidoso, NM), volunteering over 10,000 hours over her 103 years. Around her 100th birthday, the Ruidoso newspaper indicated, "I really enjoyed volunteering here. I met some of the most amazing people that became my life-long Friends."



She was the wife to Conrad Garst Keyes Sr. for 70 years; was Granny Jo to her family in Roswell, Ruidoso, & Las Cruces, and Aunt Jo to her many nephews, nieces, and their families. Jodie was a member of the NM Hospital Auxillary (Pink Ladies). She served for many years in the Artesia (Gray Lady - volunteer for Red Cross), Roswell, and Ruidoso hospitals or medical centers. She started the Thrift Store in an old service station in Ruidoso. She is a Honorary Member of the Ruidoso Federated Women's Club and a member of the Ruidoso Community United Methodist Church (SMR Pins 2008 indicated, "Thank you, Jodie, for your loyal, loving service to CUMC"). She also did volunteer work at the Ruidoso Library and played a lot of bridge everywhere she lived.



Jodie is preceded in death by her parents, three brothers - Donald at birth, Harold, and Barney E. Green, Jr., and her sisters - Christine Tomlinson, Tommie Pirtle, Billie Mays, and Maxine Hagast, and all their spouses. The nieces & nephews, and their current spouses are: Max (deceased) & Polly Tomlinson, Nancy & Pete Pauley (both deceased), Barney & Mary Mays, Ginger & Dick Lord (both deceased), Harold & Gambra Green, Pam Green Angel, Gay (deceased) & Ken Hirst, Dick (deceased) and Janet Davidson, Marsha Keyes, Gigi Keyes, Mike and Jo Ann Davidson (both deceased), and Robert & Ellen Meyer.



Conrad Jr. (only child) and Tywilla Keyes are survivors, along with their sons - Garry and Kevin Keyes (their wives Roberta and Becky Keyes, respectively). Jodie's grandchildren are Kirsten Keyes Guerra (David) & Kori Keyes Plank (Jon). Kirsten & David Guerra have four girls - Ava, Mia, Zoe, & Ari. Becky has three children (Sean, Will and wife Brandi, and Lyn Coppedge). Will and Brandi have three children (Ean, Troy, and Aspen).



A memorial service will be held for family & friends at the Ruidoso Community United Methodist Church at 220 Junction Road on July, Saturday 10, 2020 at 11:00 am followed by refreshments in the church kitchen. Graveside service at Ruidoso Forest Lawn Cemetery on Mechem Drive following the reception. Jodie will be placed beside her husband, Conrad.



Memorial contributions may be made to Mesilla Valley Hospice at 299 Montana Street in Las Cruces, or to Ruidoso Community United Methodist Church, or to the NMSU Foundation.



Cremation services are being arranged by Getz Funeral Home in Las Cruces and the other services will be arranged by LaGrone Funeral Chapel of Ruidoso.