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The Visitation will take place on Saturday, July 26, 2025 starting 10:00AM – 11:00AM EST at the Holy Comforter Episcopal Church, located at 701 Oglethorpe St NW, Washington, DC 20011.

The Memorial Service will take place on Saturday, July 26, 2025 starting 11:00AM – 1:00PM EST at the Holy Comforter Episcopal Church, located at 701 Oglethorpe St NW, Washington, DC 20011.  For those unable to attend the service in-person, you can participate remotely by viewing the live stream of the service (please scroll up to see the video).

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Obituary

A Life of Leadership, Kindness, Courage, and Unwavering Commitment

Dr. Floyd Cecil Keene, Jr. was a natural-born leader, role model, and mentor. He continued these roles with the help of his precious caretakers throughout his long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease, which eventually led to his passing on April 24, 2025. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on August 12, 1931, Floyd and his twin brother, Lloyd Donald (deceased), were the first children of Nancy Elizabeth Shelton Keene and Floyd Cecil Keene, Sr (both deceased). Floyd’s younger sister, Phyllis Adon Cotton (deceased), was born on July 18, 1933. The family house of his grandmother, Mabel Shelton (deceased) on Atlantic Avenue, while small in size, was the nurturing home of many family members; uncles Carl, Jim, and Russell, Aunt Mabel (Biddie), and cousins Edna, Ruthie, and Vivian.

Floyd joined St. James A.M.E. Church at an early age and embraced Christian principles that would guide him throughout his life. He attended Garfield Hill Elementary School and later graduated from Fort Pitt Elementary School. Floyd had many playmates in his neighborhood in Garfield Hill, where he met his lifelong friend, Eddie Phillips. They both developed a love for football and played whenever and wherever they could. Floyd excelled as a first-year football player at Peabody High School, made the varsity team as a sophomore, and was selected as vice president of the Varsity team and President of his class during his junior year. In his senior year, he was selected for the “All-City” and “All-Western Pennsylvania” football teams. In his graduation class from Peabody in 1949, there were 11 African Americans in the class of 376 students. Floyd’s reputation as a courageous leader was firmly established.

During Floyd’s illustrious Virginia State College football career (1949-1953) as “number 49”, he played multiple games with double-digit receptions and served as Team Captain. He received All-American and All-CIAA honors, and in 1952, his team was undefeated and unscored upon. Floyd also joined the ROTC and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. In his freshman year, he met his wife-to-be, Sylvia White, and another football player from Pittsburgh who became his roommate, life-long friend, and future brother-in-law, Horace Brissette. In 1953 Floyd graduated from Virginia State with a B.S. degree in Physical Education. He later received the honor of being selected as Virginia State’s “Alumnus of the Year”.

Floyd and Sylvia were married on July 18, 1953, after which Floyd entered active duty as a second lieutenant in the US Army. His first permanent assignment was to the First Armored Division in Fort Hood, Texas, where Sylvia joined him and their son, Donald Gary, was born on September 1, 1954. A decade later, after losing a son shortly after birth, Floyd and Sylvia gave birth to their third child, a daughter, Linda Carmel.

Following two years of service in the army, Floyd returned to Washington, DC, and entered Howard University’s College of Dentistry. Upon graduation in 1960, Floyd interned for one year at the VA Hospital in Pittsburgh and then joined the Army Dental Corps with the rank of Captain. He spent the next four years at Fort Myers in Arlington, VA. In 1965, he opened a dental office and practiced as a private dentist in the heart of Washington, DC at the corner of Georgia Avenue and Randolph Street for 54 additional years. As an avid lifelong learner, always striving for excellence, Dr. Keene was a member of a study club and spent weeks each year attending continuing education courses and presenting at dental seminars to refresh his skills and knowledge of the latest dental techniques. He invested heavily in the latest dental equipment and practice software to ensure his patients received the best possible dental experience. Renowned for his meticulous clinical expertise, Dr. Keene was deeply respected by his peers and admired by his patients. It would not be uncommon for patients to travel from all parts of the United States to his office or for him to make house calls. Always supporting his Alma Mater, Howard University, Dr. Keene provided dental internships and job opportunities to many Howard dental and hygienist students. He mentored these students with discipline and compassion and established lifelong connections with them, several becoming recognized leaders across the US. Dr. Keene also served his local community by providing dental services to Lorton inmates a few days each month. Floyd’s dental practice and his lifelong passion for dentistry brought him deep enjoyment and satisfaction, and with a wonderful and competent staff, he treated three generations of patients in many families.

A longtime member of Calvary Episcopal Church and later the Church of the Holy Comforter, Floyd assumed leadership roles across diverse organizations, including his church, the Robert T. Freeman Dental Society, Sheridan School, and the Pittsburghers Club in Washington, DC. Floyd is remembered fondly for his passion and devotion as a leader of the fabulous Pittsburghers Club. As president of the Pittsburghers Club, he helped raise thousands of dollars annually, providing donations to over 40 community charities and funds for numerous college scholarships that benefited Pittsburgh youth. Known as a community organizer, he united hundreds of Pittsburgh natives in the nation’s capital, fostering lifelong friendships and support for their hometown community.

Floyd led with a unique balance of kindness and firmness and was a recognized role model for integrity and dedication to excellence. Floyd possessed unmatched courage, speaking up for his beliefs and boldly changing course when needed. He embraced differences and formed friendships across cultures and religions. He believed true courage lies in resisting outside influence to shape one’s own opinions and relationships. His generosity and unwavering commitment to education inspired those around him to strive for greatness. Floyd was elected President of the Parent Teachers’ Association (PTA) at Donald’s middle school. Not long after the civil rights movement, the parents at Linda’s predominantly white private school selected Floyd Keene to become the head of its Parents’ Association. He worked incredibly hard to send his children to academic institutions that could provide them with the best education to enable them to achieve any life goal. Every school morning, Floyd could be seen driving Linda and a group of students to school. Throughout his life, Floyd also provided educational opportunities to other family members and friends.

Floyd’s love for sports, especially football, remained undaunted and he held season tickets and attended Redskins and Wizards games for many years. He also attended more than 20 Super Bowl games. As a very special tribute initiated by his nephew, Gibran Cotton, Floyd was inducted into the 2023 Virginia State Football Hall of Fame at the age of 91.

Floyd’s military discipline, inherited from his mother, Nancy Shelton Keene, and his own military service, shaped his life and work ethic while his extraordinary kindness and compassion endeared him to all who knew him. Even into his eighties, he continued practicing dentistry full-time until retiring at age 87. All who knew him will remember Floyd’s legacy of leadership, discipline, altruism, and unwavering high standards. He will be deeply missed but forever remembered.

To say that Floyd cherished his family and friends is an understatement. Among those who celebrate his life and honor his legacy are his beloved wife, Sylvia White Keene; sister-in-law, Evelyn Brissette; son, Donald Keene (Kgomotso); daughter, Linda Keene Solomon; grandchildren, Courtney (Lucian Damel Dieng), Simone Sobers, Naledi, Daniel, Lucian, Joshua, Keshia, and Kaeydon Keene; great grandchildren, Tanoor and Dunia Dieng; nieces, Jamel Cotton, Helena Cotton, Anessa Cotton, Medina Cotton Bland (Joseph), Sonya Anthony, Dr. Sheila White, Deborah White Caldwell (Curtis), Denise White Bynum (Eddie), Kathy Brissette Minus (Leo), Tina Brissette Miller; and nephews, Gibran Cotton (Darieta), Michael Anthony (Roshonda), George David White (Dorothea), Gregory White (Rose), Jimmy White (Diane), Joseph White(Elaine), Everette Duke Jr, Cecil Duke (Wendy); cousins Philip Kiszie IV (Mitzie), Donna Kiszie Barksdale (William); the Claytons (extended family), the Crosons, and a host of other relatives, extended family, godchildren, friends, and colleagues.

In Memoriam, the Keene family has set up a tribute page and made a donation to “research” at the Alzheimer’s Association in memory of Dr. Floyd Cecil Keene, Jr. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you consider a contribution to the Alzheimer’s Association. Contributions can be made by dialing 1-800-272-3900, mailing to: 225 N. Michigan Avenue 17th floor; Chicago, IL 60601; or by visiting the tribute page of Dr. Floyd Cecil Keene, Jr. on the Alzheimer’s Association website.