Alvey Keith Sears, age 90, went home to be with his Lord, November 12, 2021 in Smith Center, KS.
Keith was born February 11, 1931 in Mercer, Mercer County, MO., the ninth child of Merle McKinley & Eva Gertrude (Hutson) Sears. He accepted the Lord kneeling at his mother's knee at the age of six.
On September 9, 1951, he married Betty Lou Davis in Hutchinson, KS. They were blessed with three children, Kathleen Dianne, Nancy Gayle and Kenneth Wayne.
Keith grew up in Cedar, KS and attended Cedar Grade School, Silver Ridge and Davenport country schools, and graduated Valedictorian from Gaylord High School in 1949. He attended Southern Nazarene University graduating in 1954 with an AB degree and a Theology degree in 1956. After a two-year pastorate in Calumet, OK, he attended the Nazarene Theological Seminary, graduating in 1966 with his Masters of Divinity degree.
An ordained elder in the international Church of the Nazarene since 1962, he was a member of the Gaylord Church of the Nazarene. His ministry took him to Oklahoma, Missouri, Hawaii, Guam, California, Italy and Kansas. Keith also worked for the Federal Government retiring in 1994.
In 1995, Keith along with his wife, Betty moved to Florence, Italy so Keith could study Renaissance art. While in Florence, Keith had the privilege of preaching in the Italian language. The International Church later asked them to return to Rome, Italy to serve as Nazarenes in Volunteer Service from 1998-2000.
After returning to Kansas in 2000, to take up the responsibility of caring for his older sister, Keith was asked to fill in at the Gaylord Church of the Nazarene and did so for 13 years; this fulfilled him greatly in his mission and personally.
At Southern Nazarene University Homecoming in 2012, Keith was inducted into "The Hall of Witnesses" that honors those who have carried the light of the Gospel around the world. Keith donated his art library to the university and was nominated by the Librarian for this honor.
Keith was a man of many talents. His artistic ability began at an early age of 14 by drawing, sketching and painting, later creating stained glass and sculptures.
He had a love for God's creation through flowers, astronomy and music. His preaching reflected his love of God and love for people.
He was preceded in death by his parents, 11 siblings, a daughter, Kathleen Dianne Sears Beavers, a granddaughter, Ladonna Michelle (Beavers) Collins and great grandson, Joseph Andrew Brown.
He is survived by his wife, Betty Sears of Smith Center, KS, son, Ken Sears and wife Debra, daughter, Nancy (Sears) Minnig, grandchildren, Ashley (Sears) Brown and husband Caleb, Marc Sears, Austin Sears, Sophie Minnig, great grandchildren, Danielle (Collins) Costa and husband Alex, Eric Collins, Adalyn Brown, Audrey Brown, Elizabeth Brown, Josiah Brown, great-great grandchild, Olivia Costa and a host of other relatives and friends.
Celebration Of Life Services were held Tuesday, November 16, 2021 at 10:00AM at the Nazarene Church, Smith Center, KS. The final resting place was in Cedar Cemetery, Cedar, KS.
Memorials were to the Cedar Cemetery and the Smith Center Church of the Nazarene Scholarship Fund.
Contributor: Ladonna Weltmer (47318140) • [email protected]