Paul D. Key

Mr. Paul D. Key passed away Tuesday, February 24, 2009, at Forsyth Memorial Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. Paul was born in Surry County on August 25, 1919, to the late Jasper Davis and Cora Collins Key in Ararat, NC. He was a 1938 graduate of Copeland High School and served in the United States Army during World War II. He was employed by Sears Roebuck, where he sold sewing machines briefly, before returning to his farm where he was engaged in tobacco and chicken farming. Then, he retired from by Proctor-Silex Inc. of Mount Airy. Paul was a charter member of the Eldora Ruritan Club, serving as president and zone governor, a member of American Legion Post #123 of Mount Airy, and a member and deacon of Sulphur Springs Baptist Church. Paul is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Myrtle Haymore Key of Ararat, NC; four children and their spouses, Paula and Randy Stanley of Pilot Mountain, Debbie and Rick Stanley of Dobson, Gary Key of Ararat, and Clark Key of the home; eight grandchildren, Casey and Cindy Mitchell of Dobson, Landon Mitchell of Mooresville, Kenley Mitchell of Dobson, Meredith Stanley of Greensboro, Will Stanley of Raleigh, Rebekah Stanley of Chapel Hill, Shane and Christa Stanley of Wake Forest, and Amber and Chad Bryant of Elkin; three great-grandchildren Alek, Colby, and Zackary Mitchell, all of Dobson; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Hettie and Weldon Campbell of Mount Airy and Betty and Harry Whitaker of Randleman; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Lawrence Key, Clarence Key, and Davis Key; and three sisters, Mildred Bryant, Bernice Waller, and Mary Ruth Fulk. The funeral service will be held Friday, February 27, 2009, at 2:00 PM at Sulphur Springs Baptist Church, with the Rev. Ron Chamblin, Jr. and the Rev. Bob Thomas officiating. Burial will follow in the Union Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, with full military rites conducted by the American Legion Post #123 and the VFW Memorial Honor Guard. The family will receive friends Thursday night from 6:00 to 8:00 at Moody Funeral Home in Mount Airy, where his body will remain until carried to the church to lie-in-state 30 minutes prior to the funeral service. The family would like to give a special thanks to Tammy Hill for all of her loving care. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorials to the ARC of Surry County, P.O. Box 724, Mount Airy, 27030, or to Sulphur Springs Baptist Church, c/o John Shelton, 2553 Old US 52 South, Pilot Mountain, NC 27041.