Obituary

Dr. Danielle Jenene Keys

October 27, 1978 - April 2, 2024

On Tuesday, April 2, 2024, the Lord shook our very foundation when he called our dear sister, Danielle home to be with Him.  Our lives will never be the same without the presence of Danielle.  She has left a void in many of our hearts that will never be filled.  Though she has left this earthly home, she will forever be remembered by all that she has done in our community and in many of our lives.

Dr. Danielle Jenene Keys was born on October 27, 1978 to the late Craft Robinson, Jr. and Brenda and Dudley Stalling, Jr.   Dr. Danielle Keys, affectionately known as “Tiny” was the second of four children. Dr. Danielle Keys was graced with many talents. She was a; wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, leader, councilwoman, business owner, sorority sister, and friend.  Dr. Danielle Keys was a true visionary and stood for what was right.  She truly believed “be the change you want to see”.  There wasn’t too much that she could not do, if she didn’t know how it was done, she would research it until she figured it out.  Dr. Danielle Keys strived to help build others while climbing the ladder of success.

Dr. Danielle Keys was introduced to Christ at an early age through the membership of Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Tom Bailey.  Now a member of ChristWay Ministries, under the leadership of Pastor Michael O’Ree, she remained steadfast with her commitment to Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Dr. Danielle Keys began her educational journey at Bogalusa, where she was a graduate of Bogalusa High School, class of 1996.  Dr. Danielle Keys was a proud graduate of Dillard University class of 2000, where she obtained her Bachelors of Science in Health Administration. While at Dillard University, Danielle was initiated into the Beta Upsilon Chapter on November 8, 1998, of the “Oh So Pretty” Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.  She matriculated to Drury University where she received her Master’s of Education in Human Services. Dr. Danielle Keys was also certified as a Licensed Addictions Counselor and Licensed Prevention Professional.  Dr. Danielle Keys did not stop there, she was adamant in pursuing her Doctorate.  She will be honored with a Posthumously Doctorate from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette as a Doctor of Education in 2024.  

Dr. Danielle Keys was the owner of Serenity Client Services, where she served as a catalyst for those battling addiction disorders in her community. Dr. Keys was employed with Northshore Technical Community College, as the Executive Director of the YouthBuild Bogalusa Program.  This program allowed her to pour into the youth of Bogalusa and surrounding areas, helping once again to build her community in which she lived.  She encouraged the youth of the program to achieve their goals and helped to bridge the youth to better opportunities for their future.  While serving as the Executive Director of YouthBuild, Dr. Danielle Keys touched countless lives of our youth.  Not only did she pour into her youth, she also poured into her staff as well, ensuring that they received the proper training to, as she would say” become an expert in your component”.  Following in her grandfather’s footsteps, Joseph Sartin, Dr. Danielle Keys wanted to be a voice of change for the community and decided to run for councilwomen of District B. She obtained this goal and served as councilwomen and President of the City of Bogalusa Council under the administration of former Mayor Wendy O’Quin Perrette and Mayor Tyrin Truong.  Under their administration, Dr. Danielle Keys aided in numerous projects for the city.  But her prize was the funding and construction of the Maggie Ard Park.  Dr. Keys stated that” Maggie Ard Park will be a safe space for our toddlers and special needs children to create memorable moments with their families to cherish for a lifetime,” Dr. Danielle Keys had future plans to revitalize the Main Street Park.  While serving on the council, she was a bridge for her district and had a listening ear to all the concerns of her constituents.  Not only did she hear them, she brought their concerns before the council for solutions.  Not only was Dr. Danielle Keys active in her community, during her short time she served on many other boards as well.  Dr. Danielle Keys served on the Florida Parishes Human Services Authority and the Washington Area Habitat for Humanity boards.  Boards that she formerly served on includes; United Way, Prevention Connection of Washington Parish, Chair Member for Region 9 Tobacco, Cancer and Control Committee, YMCA & YWCA, Vice President, 22nd Judicial Youth Planning Board, and Secretary, LASACT.   Dr. Danielle Keys reigned as Queen of Krewe Unity in 2022 alongside King Glennis McKelphin.  Dr. Danielle Keys wore her crown with dignity and grace. During her reign she ensured that the Krewe of Unity was well represented.  This was not the first time that she was crowned queen, she was also named Extravaganza Queen and Debutant Queen during her time a Bogalusa High School.  She has always been a Queen and will forever be our Queen.

Dr. Danielle Keys leaves to cherish her memories, her husband, Justin Keys, Sr. of Bogalusa, LA, her one and only son whom she loved and protected with every fiber of her being; Justin “Deuce” Dior Keys, Jr. of Bogalusa, LA, her parents; Brenda and Dudley Stallings, her sisters; Briaunna Stallings of Bogalusa, LA, Natasha Jackson, Shae Mingo, Latisha Mingo, and Craft (Jammie) Armstrong of, her brothers; Dantin (Charlotte) Sartin of Bogalusa, LA, Justin (Precious) Stallings of Denham Springs, LA, Drakus Perry of Bogalusa, LA, her aunts and uncles; Diane (Henry II) Moore of Shreveport, LA, Steven Sartin of Fayetteville, NC, Bobby Sartin and Eric Sartin of Bogalusa, LA, Renee Sartin of Houston, TX, Demtric Barr of Las Vegas, NV, and Byron (Loleta) Sartin of Macon, GA, Doretha Smith of , Charles (Marie) Robinson, Annette Ellison of, Patrica Belton, Tasha Stalling, Vicki Powell, and Sandra Ann McClain and Reginald Stalling all of Bogalusa, LA, her God-Mother and aunt Delores Myres of Angie, LA, her grandmother; Ora Stalling of Bogalusa, LA, her God-sisters; Brenda Robinson Magee, Janel (Melton) Pitts, and Jamie (Tracy) Mingo all of Angie, LA, Jacklyn (Willie) Mandigo of Shreveport, LA, her God-Daughters; Haylei Jackson of Bogalusa, LA, and Elicia Myres of Angie, LA, brothers-in-law; Raymond (Kesha) Keys of Accokeek, MD, Brent (Nancy) McClendon and Leonard Lewis of Bogalusa, LA,  special nieces; Haiden Collins, Blessyn Brown, Ameyah Conerly, Jailyn Lundie, Kailyn Lundie all of Bogalusa, LA and Jacelynn Stalling of Denham Springs, LA,  and a host of other nieces and nephews, special cousins; Keith Jackson of Houston, TX, Gerrod Jackson of,Franklinton, LA and Renard Robinson of Varnado, LA, special cousin raised as a sister; Monica Buffington of Bogalusa, LA, special friends; Arnica McClain of Cleveland, OH , Trenise Graves of Bogalusa, LA and Barrical Harris of Varnado, LA, April Bruns of Bogalusa LA,  Temikca Bearden of Houston, TX, and Kimberly Short of LaPlace, LA, special Sorority Sisters, Jamie (Kelvin)May of Varnado, LA, Kimberly (Bobby) Showers, YouthBuild Bogalusa Family; Mr. O’Ree, Ms. Harris, Ms. Renee, Ms. France, Mr. Revere, Mrs. Tab, Ms. Wendy, Mr. Jenkins, Mrs. Ard, Mrs. Burton, Mr. Deon, and Mrs. Wheeler,  and a host of family, friends, colleagues and all that love her.

Dr. Danielle Keys was preceded in death by her father, Craft Robinson, Jr, her maternal grandparents, Joseph and Audrey Sartin, her paternal grandparents; Craft Robinson, Sr and Lillie Robinson her aunt; Dorothy Lee Sartin, her uncle; Ronnell Sartin, her mother and father-in-law; Raymond Keys, Sr. and Germaine Ellis.

It doesn’t matter if you knew her as Tiny, Danielle, Mrs. Danielle, Mrs. Keys, or Dr. Danielle Keys, she has left her mark here on earth and in our hearts.  She shall never be forgotten for the work that she has done in her community. “The work that she has done has spoken for her.”

Visitation will on April 12, 2024 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Cook-Richmond & Sons Funeral Home in Bogalusa, Louisiana. A Family Gathering will follow from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

The Funeral Service will be at 1:00 PM on April 13, 2024 at the Bogalusa High School Auditorium.