It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Haywood "HRW" Keith, a beloved father, deacon, and community leader. Haywood was born on February 28, 1940, in Selma, Alabama, and entered eternal life on March 18, 2023, in Tacoma, Washington. He spent most of his childhood between Selma and Pensacola, Florida, before joining his parents in Cleveland, Ohio as a young adult. He was preceded in death by his mother, Minnie Lockett Keith, stepfather John Keith and two step sisters Willie (Bill) Alma Jenkins and Samella K. Ware.

Having confessed his faith in Christ at an early age, he was a faithful and dedicated deacon at St. John Transformation Ministry International. He was also a proud veteran of the US Army, where he served as a Military Police (MP) officer in Germany before being honorably discharged. Haywood went on to have a career in financial services, working as a banker and manager at Puget Sound National Bank. He pursued higher education at Miles College, a historically Black college and university (HBCU), and graduated from the Pacific Coast Banking School at the University of Washington.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, HRW met Dessie Kemp Keith in 1957 and married in 1960. Together, they were blessed with two children, Estrellita and Anisa.

Haywood had a passion for golf and was often found on the green, honing his skills and enjoying the company of friends. He was also deeply committed to his community and served as an active member of many civic organizations, lending his time and talents to better the lives of others, including serving as Chair of the Board for both the Tacoma Urban League and Tacoma Muscular Dystrophy Association as well as being a member of the Annie Wright School Board of Directors, the Washington Finance Officers Association, and the National Urban Bankers Association. He was also appointed by Mayor Gordon Johnson to the City of Tacoma Charter Review Committee.

Haywood will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and community. His sense of humor, dedication, service and fondness for Ohio State football will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. Rest in peace, HRW, and thank you for the many ways in which you made our worlds better.

He is survived by Dessie Keith, daughters Estrellita Hunter and Anisa Keith, grandchildren Andrew Hunter and Alexandria Hunter, nephew Bruce Randall, first cousins DeLeon "Buddy" Battle and Sallie Rooks Matthews, nieces Bonita-Rosalyne McKay, Jacquelyne J. Parker, Jan Gildersleve and a host of other friends and family.

Services will be held at New Tacoma Cemetery on March 28th at 11:00 am and viewing at 10:00am