Keith Gray Creech, 89, of Plant City, Florida, passed away on March 5, 2026. A man dedicated to his family and his roots, he leaves behind a legacy spanning generations from North Carolina to Florida.
Early Life and Education
Keith was born on May 21, 1936, in Micro, Johnston County, North Carolina, as the second child of William Leslie Creech and Pauline Barbour Creech. He grew up alongside his siblings: Kenneth Ray Creech, William Joseph Creech, and Linda Gail Creech.
During his formative years, the family relocated to Durham, North Carolina. The 1940 and 1950 Censuses record the family living in Durham, specifically within the Oak Grove Township by 1950. Keith's father supported the family as a taxi cab driver during these years, providing a foundation of hard work that Keith would carry throughout his life.
Marriage and Family
Keith married Mildred “Inez” Harlow (born March 25, 1937, in Bristol, Virginia). Together, Keith and Inez built a life centered on their three daughters: Paulette, Sabrina Lee, and Melody Sue (1966-2020).
The family continued to grow with the addition of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Paulette and Mark Alden Davis welcomed Christopher Davis and Carly Renee Carter (Sean). Sabrina and Danny Wingo welcomed Lukeus Wingo (Casey) and William Wingo. Keith was also a proud great-grandfather to McKinley Carter and Cayden Carter.
After a long and devoted marriage, Inez passed away on August 11, 2021, in Conway, South Carolina.
Later Years and Legacy
Keith Gray Creech passed away at the age of 89 on March 5, 2026, in Plant City, Florida. He was preceded in death by his wife, Inez, and his daughter, Melody Sue. A service of remembrance was held on March 19, and he was laid to rest at Hopewell Memorial Gardens, 6005 South County Road 39, Plant City, Florida. He will be remembered by his family as a cornerstone of their history.
— Renn Stancil Hinton, daughter of George Ralph Stancil