David Keith Royster Memorial Tribute

d i v a D Keith ts er of

Celebrating the Life

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Sunrise

June 4, 1974

Sunset t

March 26, 2024

Saturday, April 6, 2024

Visitation 11:00 a.m. | Service 12:00 p.m. t

Greater Memphis Pentecostal Assembly 8941 East Shelby Drive, Memphis, TN 38125

Reverend Correy L. Helton, Officiating

Reflections of Life

David Keith Royster was born in Martin, TN on June 4, 1974, to Georgia Louise Brasher Royster and the late David Thomas Royster. He was the oldest of two siblings. God called Keith home on March 26, 2024, with his loved ones by his side.

Keith accepted Christ as his personal Savior at a young age. He was baptized and was a member of Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Martin, TN. He was a member there and sang in the choir until he moved to Memphis, TN in 2016.

Affectionately known as Keith, he grew up in Martin, TN where he enjoyed a life of sports, kid college, going to his grandparents running and playing in the gullies of Bath Springs, TN, basketball camp at the University of Kentucky, and Computer Camp at Freeman Hardeman University. Keith started working at “Pizza Hut” on the campus of UTM at the age of fourteen. He blessed many with those personal pan pizzas. Keith loved hanging out with his friends, his low rider truck club “Trendsetters”, and working. Keith graduated from Westview High School and later completed a Bachelor of Science in Business and Master of Business Administration, both from the University of Tennessee at Martin.

Keith met his wife, Partricka, in 2011 and they were joined in holy matrimony December 12, 2015, in Montego Bay, Jamaica. She was the melody in music for him.

Faithfully serving as a Prince Hall Affiliated Mason since 1998, Brother Keith Royster, 32 °, was a Past Master and remained a member of Jacksonville Lodge No. 50 and Jacksonville Chapter No. 85, O.E.S. in Martin, TN before moving to Memphis, TN. He was a proud founding member of J.O. Hudson Chapter #175 Holy Royal Arch Mason, the James E. Poe Chapter #11 Royal Select Masters, and the B.L. Hooks Commandry #40 Knights Templar, all established on July 13, 2013. He was also a proud founding and devout member of Dyersburg #186 A.A.S. R. S.J., 32 ° PHA, a beloved Shriner with Zarah Temple #151 A.E.A.O.N.M.S., and lastly but certainly not least an Assa Shrine Club founding member. Keith had recently joined G. W. Hulsey Lodge No. 374 in Memphis, TN where he served as the Senior Warden.

Keith became a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, through the Alpha Delta Lambda Chapter on March 26, 2022, as the tail of the 9 C.O.P.T.I.C. Kings of the Temple of Ptah.

He is preceded in death by his father, David Thomas Royster. He will be fondly remembered by his wife Partricka Cole Royster. He leaves to cherish his memories his mother, Georgia Louise Brasher Royster; daughters, Calandria Royster, Martin,TN; Andraka Royster, Paducah, KY; Kymberli (William) Royster, Hickory, KY; son, Parker Cole, Memphis, TN; sister, Kimberly Royster, Marietta, GA; He also leaves to cherish his memory his uncles James (Sandra) Royster, CA; Edward Lee (Dale) Brasher, TN; and aunts Joyce (Derron) Williams, TN; and Johnnie Mae Martin, TN; four grandchildren, one nephew, and a host of cousins and friends.

Order of Service Processional.......................................................................................................................... Clergy The Scriptures Old Testament..................................................................................... Minister Robert Johnson New Testament................................................................................. Pastor Sherman Helton, Jr. Prayer........................................................................................................ Elder John T. Gassaway Musical Selection.......................................................................... Brother Rodrequies Thompson Words of Comfort (2 minutes each) P.H.A. Masonry ............................................................................... Brother Randall Payne, Sr. Hometown Friend.................................................................................. Brother Gallian Fulton Coworker.................................................................................................................... Roy Lurry Reading of The Obituary (Silently) Acknowledgements................................................................................................ Crystal Cooper Musical Selection..............................................................................................Cassandra Johnson The Sermon.............................................................................................Reverend Correy Helton Committal Recessional Pulpit Manager, Pastor Quentin Helton

The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come. He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness. Isaiah 57:1-2 (KJV)

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My sweet David Keith, Wearing medium-washed denim jeans, black Nikes, a cream Nautica shirt covered with blue sailboats, and driving a white Ford Escort wagon, we met, in-person, for the first time in Jackson, TN at Baskin Robbins on June 3, 2011. This was my mom’s first heavenly birthday, and you came into my life shortly after her passing. You offered us ice cream and although I passed (since I’m not a fan of ice cream), my besties gladly accepted their scoops. As a matter of fact, Danielle had one and Tawana had two! We laugh about that moment all the time. Never did I think this giant country would fill a void in my life, make me feel whole and smile again. Over the years, we experienced so many firsts together- first cruise, first passport, first time out of the country, and even our first REAL LOVE! We were able to graduate with bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, and even a Doctorate Degree…how dare you not be around for Parker’s High School Diploma, lol? However, I will make sure your presence is ALWAYS felt and that I say all the quirky things that ‘you nerds’ say when it’s time. (Insider, LOL!) If God could grant me just one more wish, my wish would be for more time. More time to laugh, more time to accomplish, more time to experience, more time to make memories, more time to LOVE! My prayer since March 26, 2024, is that you’ll visit me again while I’m on this side of Heaven because, despite it all, I still need and want you. I’m empty inside again. I have no clue how my days will unfold, but just know that you will ALWAYS be part of me, and while others keep telling me that I’ll eventually be ok, I NEVER, EVER dreamed of life without you no matter what life handed us. We vowed on December 12, 2015 to have and to hold that day forward for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, and death has made us part. I close with this, “Sometimes it was hard for me to tell you how much you meant to me. One of the things that I did right in life was when I gave my heart to you. You will always be my King, my Soul Mate, my Best Friend, and my Everything!” As we all navigate forward without your physical presence, please spiritually stay with us until we meet again.

I LOVE YOU WITH ALL OF MY HEART, DAVID KEITH!!!!

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Tribute from Son I was always told that I needed to be a man. I have grown to be that, and I always will be. But it hurts to realize when you lose the part of you that’s helping and shaping you to be a man. A better man.

Everything stopped on that day, the day when I heard you fall to the ground. I’m not ok, but I know you want me to be strong for mom and I will do that. Never have I stopped to forget about it, and it lives deep in my memory. I’ll miss our mornings, bumping music on the radio. I’ll miss the laugh that always made me smile. I’ll miss you, Dad…I always will. Keep everyone close to you, care for everyone. It’s what all of us are made to do. Thank you.

Love your son, Parker.

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Tribute from Sister You were my comfort when I was scared, you allowed me to crawl in bed with you during thunderstorms, bad dreams, or just me being fearful of the dark. As we got older, I became your protector. If you had an issue with Keith, you had an issue with me! We were fortunate to have truly worked through our issues to become better friends as adults. I will forever miss you in my heart and soul. Even during our resentment, you had respect and admiration for me. You named your last born after me, I accepted but wanted her name spelled differently so she would be her own person. You always allowed me to be the third wheel and now I feel unbalanced as one of the wheels is gone.

I know I will not feel this way forever, but for now I am without you. I respect how much you grew emotionally and your willingness to restart a life outside of your comfort. To look at what you have established and all the people you have impacted is a testament to our parents and you. You always protected me in your own way. I am not as strong as you think, and I will always carry all our memories.

Immanuel will miss you loving him from the beginning and hearing you say, “Nephew”. Your life was cut short, but I can see how your life came full circle. Rest in peace my beloved brother and true friend.

Daddy and you will watch over us always.

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Tribute from Mother David Keith Royster, son I love you. I know I say that often, but I hope you know how much I love and respect the man and person you have become. You’ve grown into a wonderful man, every family hopes for, and you’re the best. I give you these words of love to store in your mind, heart, and soul “We love you” David and me. Pray every day, be in the Love and a COUNTY GOVERNMENT!

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Tribute from Daughters I'm lost for words now, and this is hard to write. Daddy, I want to start off by saying thank you for being the best father and grandfather you could be. Not only were you my father, but you were also a father figure to your grandchildren. I'm very thankful that anytime me or your grandchildren needed anything you were always there. You were always there for me when I needed you the most and I'm thankful for that. I love you so much, words can't describe how much I miss you. I'm thankful for you making me the woman I am today. Thank you for showing me it's never too late to achieve goals. Thank you for showing me how I'm supposed to be treated and loved. Thank you for being the best father and grandfather you can be. Your wings were ready, but my heart was not.

Love your baby girl, Andraka Royster

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Daddy,

I just want to start off by saying thank you for always being there for me when I needed you the most. Thank you for guiding me in the right direction to becoming the woman I am today. Thank you for being the best father a girl could ever ask for. I remember when every time wrestling was on you would call me into the living room to watch it with you if Rikishi was wrestling. I remember calling you the night I got engaged and showing you my ring, you thought I had got hitched without you being there. Since I was a little girl, I had always imagined having a big fairytale wedding with you walking me down the aisle and having our special father daughter dance. Daddy, I just want you to know that even though you are no longer here with me, you will always have a special place in my heart. I love you so much daddy that it hurts to not be able to call your phone to hear your voice just one more time. I will always remember how every time it got close to our birthdays, we would always call each other Big Gemini’s. i just want you to know that me, scotty and felicity will miss you so much. Until we meet again daddy, I love you.

Love your baby girl, Kymberli Royster

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Daddy, To my Daddy, it is unreal to me that I am having to write instead of just simply thank you. Thank you for being there since day one. Even though you were only 18, you stepped up to fatherhood. Thank you for always being a phone call or car ride away. I knew you would be there no matter what I remember when I thought I was pregnant, you went and got the test for me, and we found out together that I was expecting.

When I had Amari, it was you who dressed him for the first time because I was too scared, thinking I would hurt him. You told me to move Calandria, I got it. Thank you for showing us what hard work is and being a provider for your family. You always made sure our needs were met. I'm honored to have had you as my dad. You taught me so much, and I will forever be thankful for you. I will forever cherish our memories together. The last time I talked to you, we laughed and cut up. Had I known that would be the last time I'd hear your voice, I would've talked a little longer, laughed a bit more.

"If we have forgotten to show our gratitude enough for all the things you did, we're thanking you now. And we are hoping you knew all along, how much you meant to us."

-Unknown From, Your f irst-born Calandria

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Special Nephew It’s breaking me piece by piece that my “Dad” is Gone. Every night and day that is being lived but I know he is looking at me saying, “You got to be strong and keep going!! I do want you to know that I am trying but this still seems like an unwritten story. A story that will forever stay in my mind and sit in my heart. March 26th might have been my birthday, but now it’s also your death date and forever will be labeled as that. However, from this day forward, I will follow every rule and lesson you taught me as I’ve grown up to become the man you taught me to be I am today. I LOVE YOU “DAD”!!

JaVeon Williams (Jay Jay)

I’ve Been Called From Labor to My Refreshments My days of labor are now finally done, My journey’s end has come.

A new guide now has led me on.

The distinct knocks have granted me in My pathway shined by the light within My work laid once on the trussell board now moved to the lamb book of God. Greeted with a smile and an approval head nod.

You see I’ve been called from my labor to refreshments and my worship of him has now begun With the perfect points of my entrance, I’m praising the father and the son.

So, miss me if you must but not for too long, I’m with my savior and I’m singing the praise song.

I know me leaving was tough on that day.

To my loved ones, Patricka, kids, and my grandbabies just know that I’m okay!

I’ll always Love You, Keith

Acknowledgements

Perhaps you sent a lovely card or sat quietly in a chair. Perhaps you sent those beautiful flowers, that we saw sitting there. Perhaps you spoke the kindest words, as any friend could say. Perhaps you were not there at all, just prayed for us that day. Whatever you did to console our hearts we thank you so much for whatever part.

We, the family of David Keith Royster, would like to thank each of you for your acts of kindness, flowers, cards, and especially your prayers and support towards us during this time of bereavement.

The Family

Active Pallbearers Kristoffer Billington Gallian Fulton Avery Jackson William McFadden, Jr. Brandon Shorter Brett Stokes

Honorary Pallbearers Prince Hall Affiliated Masonic Brothers

Brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. The 9 C.O.P.T.I.C Kings of the Temple of Ptah

Floral Bearers Family and Friends Special Thanks Alpha Delta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc

G.W. Hulsey Lodge No. 374, PHA, TN Jurisdiction Mitchell High School Faculty and Staff Compass/Morrison’s Healthcare at St. Francis Hospital Ladies of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and The 19 Visionary Verses

Repast

Alpha Memphis Education Foundation 8941 E. Shelby Drive Memphis, TN 38125

Arrangements Entrusted Serenity Funeral Home 1638 Sycamore View Rd. Memphis, TN 38134 (901) 377-3543

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The Impact Marketing, LLC 901.300.6197