Viola Louise Jefferson Keyes was born May 7, 1944, to the late Robert S Jefferson and Hazel I Watson Jefferson.  Viola was the eighth of nine siblings. She departed this life on January 22, 2026, at Capital Caring Health.  Viola attended Richmond Public Schools and graduated from Maggie L Walker High School.  Next, she went on to attend Virginia Union University where she received a BA in Sociology; Howard University where she received a MS in Social Work, and American University where she received an MPA in Public Administration.  Viola was a long-standing and active member of the Nineteenth Street Baptist Church.  Viola felt very strongly about education and assisted many of her nieces and nephews on their journey into higher education.

Viola spent many years working in D C Government as an Investigative Officer, Special /Executive Assistant to Director, and Public Health Advisor where she received the Distinguished Public Service Award and the Outstanding/Excellent Performance awards for the District of Columbia. She also served in the private sector as a private secretary with Management Consultant United Planning Organization/Pettsons Inc.  Viola was very active in many organizations including the Howard University Alumni Association, The Alzheimer’s Association, and the National Council of Negro Women.

Viola married Robert A Keyes of Washington, DC on December 24, 1974.   During their union, they enjoyed traveling the world, attending the Super Bowl and participating in alumni activities as well as various events with their clubs until Robert’s death in 2016.

Viola is survived by her devoted brother Charles (Deborah) Jefferson, Silver Spring, MD, stepdaughter, Linda Keyes, Maryland, and daughter-in-law Beverly Keyes, District of Columbia as well as a host of nieces, nephews and friends.   She was pre-deceased by her husband, Robert A Keys, her parents, Robert and Hazel Jefferson, siblings Lois (Steven), Robert (Ellen-Rose), Joseph (Carolyn), Gerald (Gladys), James, Anne and Cathy.

She will be laid to rest at Quantico National Memorial Cemetery, Quantico, Virginia with her husband, Robert A Keyes.