Shirley Ann (Navy) Veltz

Shirley Ann (Navy) Veltz was born on November 1, 1940, in Port Arthur, Texas. Surrounded by her loving family, she passed away peacefully on September 17, 2025, in Dallas. A cherished and beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and daughter, Shirley was preceded in death by her husband of 33 years, Walter Veltz, and her son, Daniel Keys III. 

Shirley attended Abraham Lincoln High School in Port Arthur. She graduated magna cum laude from Prairie View A&M University with her B.A. degree in Elementary Education. She was also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Shirley was blessed with the gift of music from an early age, and she passed her love of music on to her children and grandchildren. Once she began taking piano lessons as a young girl, she eventually made music her career. She served as organist for Sacred Heart, St. Mary’s, and St. John’s Catholic churches. She was blessed with an angelic singing voice, and she either directed or participated in every church choir as well. She continued to share her passion for music by teaching music at Sacred Heart Catholic School and Booker T. Washington Elementary School in Port Arthur, where her Christmas musical productions were a highlight each year. One year, her students mastered the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah in perfect three-part harmony. The production was such a big hit that she and her students were featured on the local news station.

Shirley was not only an accomplished pianist but also a composer who had one of her classical compositions recorded and published. Her daughters fondly recall listening to her play the piano at home as she mastered classical pieces by composers such as Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, and Mozart. She would gather large crowds when she would play the piano at any music store she would enter.

In her later years, Shirley enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren, and family dog, Rocco. She also enjoyed outings with her constant companions and treasured friends, affectionately called “The Glamour Girls.” Never too far from a piano, she continued to entertain with her musical talents for holiday events with friends and family.

Shirley will always be fondly remembered for her larger-than-life personality, quick wit, spontaneity, and big, beautiful smile.

Shirley leaves behind two brothers, Harold and Kirby Holmes; her loving daughters, Janice Babineaux and Rachel Williams; and her devoted daughter-in-law, Kristin Keys. She also leaves her grandchildren, Dadriana and Sydney Keys, Kristin Williams, and Matthew and Christopher Babineaux, and her great-granddaughter, Erin Wynter Keys, all of whom will treasure lasting memories.

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