Keith M. Finch

Keith Marquell Finch, the youngest son of Frank M. Finch and Linda Rascoe was born in Baltimore Md. on October 30, 1970. He was a gifted musician, talented pianist, arranger, composer, loving son, loving brother, faithful friend, born-again believer, and so much more. Here was quiet, unassuming young man, one whose life epitomized the true meaning of Christian love. He went about doing good and spreading joy to all those he met. He did things his own way and did not worry about the things that were of little significance. To him life was filled with too much good to dwell on the bad. He would simply smile in his quiet way, and say “ Oh, well. It really doesn’t matter.” Keith loved his family, his friends, and his church family and would do anything for them. He had a way of making each of them feel very special. He thought nothing of picking up an extra bag of groceries for someone in need, preparing meals for his buddies, or spending hours creating personalized gift items for those he loved. Well known for his musical genius, Keith’s love affair with ebony and ivory began at an early age when he and his brother, Kevin, learned to play the theme from “Hill Street Blues. At the age of 12, Keith attended Summer Camp at Peabody Institute, where he was first exposed to music theory and the art of the keyboard. While his brother and their friends played outside, Keith would practice after school on the piano, often sitting in the dining room practicing his scales in the dark. When asked if he played basketball, his response would be “ I play the piano.” His formal training began in earnest when he was accepted into Frederick Douglass High School’s Music Careers Curriculum, studying piano and voice. More than just a hobby, more than a profession, from “The Maestro”, music was his life and his love. I touched every area of his life. He played at every assembly, in the Jazz Ensemble, in the Marching Band (playing the Tuba), in the Choral Ensemble, and First Sketches. Later he would play at senior citizens centers, at schools, community events, wherever there was opportunity and wherever there was a piano. Keith enjoyed all types of music including jazz and classical, but his real love was the beautiful Gospel melodies. He joined Southern Baptist Church as a teenager where he immediately joined the Youth Choir. He went on to become musician for the Early Morning choir, Junior Missionary choir, Youth and Young Adult Choirs, and the Midday Mass Choir. He was faithful to this calling and always strove for perfection. On Sunday mornings, he “tickled the keys” with such favorites as “Yes, Jesus Loves Me” “Order My Steps in Your Word”, “Going Up Yonder” and “Just A Closer Walk with Thee”. Even sickness could not diminish Keith’s love for the Lord nor his love for music. After being hospitalized in April with Leukemia, there were days and nights when the hospital lobby echoed with the sounds of Keith on the baby grand piano. He played for his best friends wedding at the hospital. His last night at home just hours before he returned to the hospital, Keith played some of his favorite songs on the piano as his mother sang –something they both always enjoyed. On Thursday morning Sept. 12, 2002 before the break of dawn, with his parents at his bedside, our dearly beloved Bro. Keith Finch departed this life. He has closed the baby grand of this life and has joined the Heavenly Band in Glory. He leaves to cherish fond memories: his wife, Alethea Finch; mother, Linda Rascoe; father, Frank M. Finch; stepfather, Rev. David L. Rascoe; stepmother, Mona Finch; stepson, Kenneth Melton; one brother, Kevin A. Finch and sister-in-law, Andrea Finch; sister, Kellie Finch; seven aunts, six uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of relatives and friends.“Sing unto Him a new song: play skillfully with a loud noise”. (Psalm 33:3)

Tributes

Keith M. Finch

October 30, 1970 - September 12, 2002