Dimitra "Jimmie" Keyes

Guest Book for Dimitra Keyes Service Dimitra Evangelo “Jimmie” Keyes, 91, passed into eternal life with her Savior Jesus Christ on May 4, 2020. Jimmie has gone on to be reunited with her beloved husband of 55 years, the late Glen Corwin Keyes, Sr. Jimmie and Glen shared a lifetime of precious moments and funny stories. They were members of Pinecrest Baptist Church. In 1942 at the age of 13, Dimitra began serving the community working at the Seaboard Pharmacy in downtown Portsmouth. In the mid 1950’s because of her dedication, hard work and witty nature Sidney Karp moved Dimitra to Karp’s Pharmacy at “Alexander’s Corner” This is where the Portsmouth Legend of “Jimmie” from Karp’s began. If this rings a bell it is because either you or your family member have been served a “Limeaid” or “Cherry Coke” by Jimmie during her 30 plus years working the Soda Counter. Though she loved all of us from Portsmouth, when you visited Jimmie at Karp’s it did not take you long to realize that Jimmie was dedicated to Woodrow Wilson High School with loads of Wilson Memorabilia on display at the soda fountain. If for some reason you remember when these drinks were a nickel, you probably started visiting Jimmie many years ago and will know that she did not take any mess from anyone. Jimmie was a very caring and giving person. Many times, helping kids with paying for their meals. There are a few of you that may have benefited from Jimmie’s donations to Wilson Football and Cheerleading. She even paid for a few “Letterman” Jackets. Jimmie also reserved multiple tables at “Mario’s where she provided pizza dinners for many of her extended Wilson family following Friday Night Football Games. In the early 1960s while working the Soda Fountain, one customer made such an impression on Jimmie that she told herself that “He will be my Husband”. This is when Glen Keyes from the Portsmouth Police Dept. won her heart. Jimmie and Glen began their 55-year love story in 1963. Starting a family and remaining proud supporters of Portsmouth for years to come. In the more recent years Jimmie’s family remember her for always being supportive loving and giving to them. Jimmie has been known to a drop a few dollars on the toy aisle floor for her grandkids to find at Walmart, as well as losing some paint off of Glen’s car in the Taco Bell parking lot after picking her grandkids up from school. At Glen's request Jimmie’s driving license is actually still valid “Just In Case”. She is survived by her children, Dianne Ewell & her forever Les Doggett, Susan Sumner (Buddy), Peggy Kalmbach (Cliff), Corey Keyes; grandchildren, David Ewell, Jr., Kelsey Ewell, Kimberly Bubar, Lisa Sumner, Meredith Callaway, Ashley Spelts; 8 great-grandchildren; countless nieces and nephews; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Louise Evangelo, Joan Evangelo, Juanita Bryant, David Keyes (Kitty) and Bonnie Keyes. Jimmie outlived all five of her siblings, Angelo Evangelo, Sr., Kaliopy Byrd, Paulene McCloud, William Evangelo and George Evangelo. The family would like to express their gratitude to the nurses and doctors for the excellent care given to Jimmie during her time at Maryview Hospital. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Jimmie's name may be made to the Maryview Foundation, 3636 High Street Portsmouth, VA 23707 To celebrate her life and to stay socially distance compliant a drive-up service only will be held at 3pm Thursday in the parking lot of Pinecrest Baptist Church. She will be laid to rest with her husband at the Albert G. Horton Jr Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk. This service will be private. Guest Book for Dimitra Keyes Service