Keith Monroe Derting

There was a time when Keith Monroe Derting was the life of the party. He might have been telling funny stories or playing the guitar. Perhaps he was playing a piano or an autoharp. or discussing topics too numerous to mention. He was kind, smart and caring. He was unforgettable. On Friday, May 8, 2026. Keith peacefully passed away after a period of declining health. His voice may be silent, but his spirit and memory live on.

Keith was born in Kingsport, Tennessee, May 20, 1952. He was the son of Ralph Monroe Derting and Claudia Addington Derting. He is survived by his sister Lennea Derting Hickam (Stan) and Mariah Hickam Cole (Matt) his niece. He has a great nephew Mason Cole and a great niece Mia Cole.

Keith attended Hiltons Elementary School, and then graduated from Gate City High school in 1970. He continued his education earning a bachelor’s degree from Milligan College in 1974. He was an avid reader, gathering knowledge like a sponge.

In his early career, he served at a halfway house for teenage boys in Kingsport offering supervision, guidance and encouragement. Keith then entered the world of archaeology at Catawba College for three years. He researched native American artifacts, specializing in stone implements such as tools, axes and especially projectile points (arrow heads).

The majority of Keith’s career was with the South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology (SCIAA). He was the Site File Manager for the State of South Carolina with his office being located at the University of South Carolina in Columbia.

A celebration of life for Keith will be held at 6:00 pm Saturday, May 16, 2026 at Darthula Baptist Church, 1741 Lunsford Mill Rd,  Hiltons, Virginia 24258 with Pastor Layton Bentley officiating. He will be buried along side his parents and relatives in the Darthula cemetery.

We wish to thank Fischer Funeral Services and staff for their excellent and caring assistance. Thanks also goes to the nursing and support staff at Prisma Health Heart Center in Columbia, SC. Lastly, many thanks to his dear and caring friends, especially Sharon Pekrul and Carole and Danny Shealy.