Rev. William Keith Hearn, 91, of Royston, GA passed away on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at Brown Health and Rehabilitation Center. Rev. Hearn was born in Lucia, NC on July 28, 1935, son of the late Clayton Alton and Goldie Marie Painter Hearn. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Tommy Alton Hearn. Keith was a very gentle and humble man, always admired for his love for Christ, his family, and his church, the International Pentecostal Holiness Church. Rev. Hearn served as the Conference Superintendent of the Georgia Conference, now LifePoint Ministries, from 1970-1982. His ministry as a pastor and conference superintendent spanned over 50 years. Survivors include his wife of 71 years, Martha Anne Woodruff “Sue” Hearn; son and daughter-in-law, Greg and Beth Hearn of Royston, GA; daughter, Susan Rumfelt of Royston, GA; grandchildren, Clay and Lauren Hearn, Ellen Hearn, Will and Hannah Hearn, Stephen and Jennifer Lowery, Callie and Rob Lyew, Aaron and Emily Rumfelt, and Justin and Lydia Chitwood; along with great-grandchildren, Ryland Lowery, Vivianne Lowery, Jack Hearn, Hattie Hearn, Luke Hearn, Shep Hearn and Henry Chitwood. A celebration of Rev. Hearn’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers; memorials may be made to Emmanuel University’s General Scholarship Fund at PO Box 129, Franklin Springs, GA 30639
“Rev. Keith Hearn served as a minster of the gospel of Jesus Christ for over 50 years. His legacy lives on in Greg, Susan, Clay, William, Stephen, and the many others whose lives he touched. Bishop Tim Lamb, Conference Superintendent of LifePoint Ministries/Georgia Conference, told me, “He was my first superintendent and gave me my first chance to pastor. I will always be indebted to him.”
The words about David in Acts 13 aptly describe Rev. Keith Hearn: AFTER HE SERVED HIS GENERATION IN THE WILL OF GOD, HE FELL ASLEEP.
Rev. Hearn served with a pastor’s heart, demonstrating wisdom, gentleness, courage, and unwavering faith. His life exemplified Christian character and statesmanship.
In 2 Samuel 3, King David declared, “A great man and a Prince has fallen in Israel this day.”
On behalf of a grateful church, we honor this beloved saint of God and his legacy.
May the Lord of peace Himself comfort the Hearn family as they mourn their husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.”
Presiding Bishop J. Talmadge Gardner
General Superintendent, International Pentecostal Holiness Church
