Marcus Keyes, age 84, died peacefully on November 28, 2023 with his wife, Glenda, by his side.
Marcus was born on February 25, 1939, in Bantry Bay, Ireland. He was the fourth of five children born to Raphael P. Keyes and Brigid (O’Sullivan) Keyes. Marcus is survived by his wife of 32 years, Glenda Struss-Keyes; sister-in-law Patsy Keyes; sister-in-law, Mary Ann (Struss) Toms; nephew; Ralph (Eileen) Keyes; grandniece, Rachel (Sam); grandnephew, Michael (Andrea).
He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings: Falkna (died in infancy), Michael, Raphael, and Caít.

Marcus Keyes was ordained a priest in the Missionary Society of St. Columban in 1963. After a short period of time in England, he was missioned in the Philippines until 1989, excluding five years in which he served as a counselor in the international headquarters of the Columban Fathers. While assigned in the Philippines, Marcus met Glenda who was serving as a Columban sister. The final four years of their time in the Philippines was a period of intense militarization and suffering.
After a period of discernment Marcus and Glenda were married in 1991. During his year of discernment, Marcus was invited by Bishop Anthony J. O’Connell to serve in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Knoxville, Tennessee. Marcus established within the Diocese the Office of Justice-Peace-Integrity of Creation (JPIC). When he married Glenda, he invited her to serve as co-director of JPIC. From 2001 until 2010 Marcus headed the Glenmary Commission on Justice and Peace for the Glenmary Home Missioners.
Marcus often explained that Earth is the context of our faith and our work for peace and justice. In his dying days, he found the strength to utter as well as to write the words, “I am an internationalist.” He gestured with his arms in an all-encompassing circle to signify that his identity was attached to the totality of Life. He was loved for his genuine warmth, charm, and gift of storytelling. He was respected for his skill at using thoughtful questions to guide and assist individuals and groups facing important matters and decisions. He was a devoted family member who made it a point to keep strong connections with all his first, second, and even third cousins. He was a loyal and trusted friend to many around the world.

Marcus and Glenda have resided at Narrow Ridge for nearly twenty years. Marcus and Glenda have been members of Saint Teresa of Kolkata Catholic Church since its store-front days.

A visitation with family and friends will be held on Friday, December 1st at 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Saint Teresa of Kolkata Catholic Church at 3445 Maynardville Hwy, Maynardville, TN 37807. A funeral mass will be held at the same location on Saturday, December 2nd at 10:00 a.m. A burial service will be held immediately after mass at the Narrow Ridge Natural Burial Preserve, 1936 Liberty Hill Road, Washburn, TN with a gathering of friends and family immediately following at Narrow Ridge's Strawbale Lodge, 375 New Harvest Rd, Washburn, TN 37888. Carpooling to the Natural Burial Preserve and Strawbale Lodge is strongly encouraged. Friday and Saturday services at Saint Teresa of Kolkata Catholic Church will be livestreamed on the church’s facebook page: facebook.com/STKCC.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Marcus’s honor to the Narrow Ridge Earth Literacy Center at https://narrowridge.org.
Arrangements by Cooke-Campbell Mortuary, Maynardville.