Keith Joseph Maurice

Keith Joseph Maurice quietly passed away on Tuesday, July 18, 2017, at Sharp Memorial Hospital. He was 60 years old. Keith was born March 10, 1957 in New Orleans, Louisiana to the late Carolyn Williams and Raoul Maurice, and grew up there with his parents Gloria G. Vander and the late Joseph Vander. Keith attended St. Augustine High School and was a graduate of Abramson Senior High. In 1979, he enlisted in the United States Navy and was based in Southern California and other duty stations including Hawaii where he worked in aviation electronics and flight engineering. After a twenty-two year career in the Navy, Keith retired but continued to work there as a civilian for some time. Afterwards, he was employed as a flight engineer with Avenge, Inc. where he worked in Afghanistan. Keith was married to Merdis Jackson and their union lasted for thirty-three years. In addition to Merdis, Keith is survived by his mother, Gloria, his siblings Karen Tyson and Dr. Robin G. Vander both of New Orleans, LA, Michael Williams (Charmaine) of Dallas, TX, Carol Celestin (Elvincent) of St. James, LA, Monica Johnson (Larry) of Plaquemine, LA, Glyniss Desira (Darrell) of Sorrento, LA, Glynn Williams (Emelda) of Darrow, LA, Bruce Lee (Katarina) of Louisville, KY, Briant Lee of Donaldsonville, LA, Gary Lee of Gonzales, LA, and Donice Plain (Joseph) of Baton Rouge, LA; Elice Johnson (Warren) of Oxnard, CA; his mother-in-law Kay F. Jackson of Long Beach, aunts Emma Lewis of Virginia Beach, VA, Peggy Richardson of Canal Winchester, OH, Betty Lowery (Valery) of Baton Rouge, LA, Selma Harrison and Melba Vander both of Slidell, LA, Pearl Ducre of Picayune, MS, and his uncle Rev. Shovie Ducre (Geralyn) of Lacombe, LA; sisters-in-law Francine Walker Jackson and RoseMarie Jackson (James) both of Long Beach, brother-in-law Robert A. Jackson (Margo) of Lakewood; godsiblings Eleanor Chapital and Michael Southall both of New Orleans, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, godchildren, friends and coworkers. On July 25, 2017, funeral services with full military honors were held in San Diego, California. For relatives and friends throughout Louisiana, funeral services are scheduled for Saturday, July 29, 2017 at 11:00AM at Living the Word International, 2528 Old Spanish Trail, Slidell, Louisiana. Visitation will be held from 10:00-11:00AM. Interment scheduled for Monday, July 31, 2017 at 10:00AM at the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, 34888 Grantham College Drive, Slidell, Louisiana. Arrangements by D.W. Rhodes Funeral Home. To sign the guest book please visit www.rhodesfuneral.com In lieu of flowers please donate to The New Orleans Golden Eagles Organization – Black Pilots of America. P.O. Box 26184 New Orleans, LA 70186; email www.nogepilots@gmail.com" title="Click to open in a new window or tab" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">www.nogepilots@gmail.com.