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March 22, 1937 — April 30, 2020

Nora Caroline Keys, 83, of Dowagiac, passed away at The Timbers of Cass County on Thursday, April 30, 2020, with her family by her side.

Nora was born on March 22, 1937, to the late Thomas and Nancy (O’Daniel) Grayam in Cobden, Illinois. She later married and moved to Michigan where she made her home. While in Dowagiac, she began working at Rudy’s Manufacturing (Sunstrand).

In Dowagiac, as a single mom, she put all of her energy in to raising her children and working. She retired from Rudy’s after 26 years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Nancy Grayam; son, James Keys; brother, Thomas “Sonny” Grayam; grandsons, James C. Keys and Thomas Keys.

Nora is survived by her children, Nancy (Don) Swartz, of Buchanan, Linda Ross, of Cassopolis, Robert Keys, of Dowagiac, Renee (Tom) Meiser, of Dowagiac, and Patrick Campbell, of Connecticut; daughter-in-law, Arlene Keys; 11 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; siblings, Kate Lawrence, of South Carolina, Arlene Cole, of Florida, Charlene Kehr, of South Bend, Donald Grayam, of Berrien Springs, and Charles (Sue) Grayam, of Arkansas; and many extended family members and close friends.

In keeping with Nora’s wishes, no public viewing will be hosted. She will be interred privately at Mission Hills Memorial Gardens, in Niles.

Anyone wishing to make a memorial donation in Nora’s memory may do so to their local women’s shelter to help prevent child abuse or to EndCAN.com.

Condolences, photos, and memories may be left for the family at BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, of Niles.