Ella Lorene Keys

Ella Lorene (Jordan) Keys, or known by many as Lorene, was born November 12, 1934, in the Zeb Community, near Tahlequah, OK. Lorene was one of ten children born to Robert Spencer and Hazel Marie (Rodgers) Jordan. She attended Stone Chapel School and later went on to attend college classes at Northeastern State University with the goal of becoming a Head Start teacher. She began her teaching career as a Head Start teacher at Keys School and later spent many years working for Cookson Hills Community Action, where she eventually retired. Through her years of work, Lorene touched the lives of many children and families with her caring heart and dedication.

Lorene was a woman who could make just about anything. She loved to sew and was especially talented at making quilts. Her hands were rarely idle, and she found joy in creating things for the people she loved. She also loved tending to her vegetable garden and working in her yard. She took great pride in caring for her home and lawn and loved to get outside and mow the yard herself.

Lorene married, Joy Scott Keys, and together they were blessed with five sons and one daughter. Her family was the center of her world, and she treasured every moment spent with them. She especially enjoyed going to ballgames to cheer on her grandchildren. She was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching sports on television, especially OU. But Lorene was happy to watch just about anything—soccer, baseball, and whatever game happened to be on. She loved cheering people on and being there for the ones she loved. Lorene was also a wonderful cook and believed no one should ever leave her home hungry. She loved having her family gathered around her table, and holidays at Lorene's house were special occasions filled with good food, family, and memories. Feeding the people she loved was one of the many ways she showed her love. Lorene was a Christian by faith and faithfully served others through her church and community. She was a member of Cherokee Home Mission and taught a Sunday School class. She also enjoyed attending gospel singings at Sellers Mission Church, where she found fellowship and joy in worship.

On Thursday, September 3, 2026, Lorene was called to her eternal home at the age of 91 years old. Her life was one of service, love, hard work, and devotion. She gave freely of herself—to her family, to the children she taught, to her church, and to those around her. She will be remembered for her generous heart, her wonderful cooking, her beautiful quilts, her love of gardening and sports, and most of all, the love she had for her family.

Those that have gone on before her include her parents, Robert and Hazel Jordan, her husband, Joy Scott Keys, two sons, Gary Wayne Keys and Warren Scott Keys, three brothers, Bobby Gene Jordan, Raymond Carl Jordan, and infant Dale Jordan, and two sisters, Claudean Jones and Sue Casady.

Those left to cherish her memory include her three sons, Don Alan Keys and wife Tina of Webbers Falls, OK, JD Keys and wife Joy B. of Hulbert, OK, and Donald Spencer Keys and wife Cindy of Oktaha, OK, and one daughter, Lavon Bullett and husband Ed of Welling, OK. She also leaves two brothers, Charles Ray Jordan and wife Freda of Tahlequah, OK and Perry D. Jordan and wife Billie of Park Hill, OK, and two sisters, Betty Faye Flournoy and Linda Yvonne Rogers and husband Johnny, both of Park Hill, OK. Her legacy lives on through 17 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren and 5 great great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, many friends and other loved ones.

A time of visitation will be held at Reed-Culver Funeral Home on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm, and the Funeral Service will be held there on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at 2:00 pm with David White officiating. Lorene will be laid to rest at Tahlequah City Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Terry Don Keys, Billy Keys, Jake Keys, Brent Keys, Chad Davis, Carl Robbins, Neali Ferrell, and Ky Keys, with honorary pallbearers Cody Keys, Jackie Monholland, and Jay Elkins.