James Garland Keith, better known to family and friends as Bo, passed away peacefully in his sleep Saturday, July 12, 2025. The family will receive friends from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Monday, July 14, 2025, in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church Haughton. Funeral services will immediately follow the visitation with Dr. Gevan Spinney and Pastor Tim Keith officiating. Graveside services will be at Hillcrest after the funeral.
Bo was born July 4, 1932, to Cullen B. Keith, Sr. and Annie Mae Nix Keith. He graduated from Haughton High School in 1950 and continued his education at Louisiana Tech University where he earned his bachelor's degree in forestry. After college, he met the love of his life, Eloise Blake, on a blind date which was set up by Eloise's roommate. They had dinner at Walgreens Drugstore in downtown Shreveport.
Bo and Eloise were married November 27, 1957, at Haughton Baptist Church by Brother Melton Prothro and they celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary this past year.
Bo and Eloise lived in Coushatta, Louisiana, briefly after they married and moved back to Bo's hometown of Haughton in 1960 where they became faithful members of Haughton Baptist Church, now First Baptist Haughton. Bo was a true servant of the Lord. His favorite scriptures were Acts 16:31, Proverbs 3:5-6, and Romans 5:8. He was a deacon, deacon emeritus, and taught the Men's #1 Sunday School class at First Baptist Haughton from 1970 until his health prevented him from teaching.
Bo served his country in the United States Army from October of 1956 until August of 1961. He worked as a forester at Haughton Timber Company prior to starting his own company, LaTex Timber. He finished his career in forestry working with his nephews at AllState Land and Timber.
Bo was preceded in death by his wife, Eloise Blake Keith, his parents, Cullen B. Keith, Sr. and Annie Mae Nix Keith, his mother-in-law, Emma Ree Blake, father-in-law, Truman A. Blake, his brother, Cullen B. Keith, Jr., sister-in-law, Joyce Keith, and his brothers-in-law, David Collinsworth, Allan Blake, Mickey Blake, and Joe Earl Blake.
Bo is survived by his son, Gregg Keith. He is also survived by his three grandchildren, Jason
Keith and wife, Tasha, Nicole Keith Coburn and husband, Randy, and Josh Keith and wife,
Kristen. He leaves behind nine great grandchildren, Jaycie Keith, Jaden Keith, Kyelor Coburn,
Kelsey Coburn Woodle and husband, Rhett, Kinley Coburn, Addye Keith, Jaxx Keith, Jake Keith, and Hannah Claire Craft, and one great, great granddaughter, Gracelynn Woodle. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Annie Mary Blake Haynie and husband Jerry, Sue Blake and Charmaine Blake.
Serving as Bo's pallbearers will be Jason Keith, Josh Keith, Jaden Keith, Randy Coburn, Kyelor Coburn, Bryant "Bo" Keith, Michael Keith, John Keith, and Lonnie Shaw. Honorary pallbearers are the members of the Men's' #1 Sunday School Class at First Baptist Haughton.
The family would like to thank Dr. Ted Warren for the years of compassionate are he provided to Bo.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Haughton or the Gideons International.
