Elise Lynette Keaton, 71, of Rockledge, Florida, peacefully departed this earthly life on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, in Melbourne, Florida.

Elise was born on March 26, 1954, in Quincy, Florida. She later made her home in Rockledge, Florida, where she built a life marked by excellence, service, and quiet strength. A woman of faith, she was a devoted member of Zion Orthodox Primitive Baptist Church in Cocoa, Florida.

Elise was a proud graduate of Florida A&M University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree. She furthered her education by obtaining her MBA from the Florida Institute of Technology. Elise was the first and only Black Application Software Engineer at Lockheed, paving the way for others in her field. Her remarkable journey and contributions have been captured in a 500+ page book currently in its finalization phase. After years of dedicated service, she retired, leaving behind a legacy of innovation and perseverance.

She was actively involved in her community and maintained membership with the FAMU National Alumni Association – Brevard County Chapter and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. – Brevard County Alumnae Chapter. Elise found joy in baking, sewing, and serving her church, sorority, and community. She was known for her kindness, intellect, resilience, and commitment to uplifting others.

She leaves to cherish her memory: her brothers, Edwardo Lamar Keaton of Daphne, Alabama and Victor Duran Keaton of Quincy, Florida; her aunt, Geraldine Curry of Quincy, Florida; her uncles, K.D. Edwards of Quincy, Florida, Joseph Edwards of New London, Connecticut, and Johnnie Keaton of Jersey City, New Jersey; along with a host of extended family members, friends, sorority sisters, church family, and colleagues who will forever honor her life and legacy.

Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Bradwell Mortuary in Quincy, Florida. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at New Bethel AME Church, 23209 Blue Star Highway, Quincy, Florida. Interment will follow at Sunnyvale Cemetery in Quincy, Florida.

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