John Beamon Keith

John Beamon Keith, 73, died at his home in Rutherfordton, North Carolina, on May 8, 2026, surrounded by family.

Born on March 5, 1953, in Norfolk, Virginia, John lived a life marked by devotion, kindness, and a deep love for music, family, and faith.

John retired from his work as a medical transcriptionist, a profession that reflected his care and attention to others. He also shared his musical gifts as an organist and musical director for several churches in Norfolk, Virginia, and later at St. Francis Episcopal Church in Rutherfordton. John had a passion for restoring old pipe organs to working condition. He was preceded in death by his parents, Margaret Lee Beamon Keith, and W. Horton Keith, and by his wife, Susan Minor Keith.

He leaves behind many who will cherish his memory, including family, Gary Childress of the home; his sisters, Rebecca Ann Keith of Sanford, North Carolina, and Mary Ellen (Keith) Lanzillo (the late Eugene Lanzillo) of St. Augustine, Florida; his caregiver, Caroline Brown Pitts of the home; his daughter, Rebecca Melton of Mill Spring; his granddaughters, Grace Waters (Michael) of Bostic and Caroline Melton of Rutherfordton; and his great-granddaughter, Charlotte Waters, as well as a nephew, nieces, and great-nieces and nephews.

A memorial service, and interment will be held at St. Francis Episcopal Church on July 11, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Francis Episcopal Church at 395 N Main St, Rutherfordton, NC, 28139, or to Hospice of the Carolina Foothills at P.O. Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043.

McMahan’s Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of the cremation arrangements.