A kind and soft-spoken Southern Gentleman, Mr. Jimmy Key of Carthage, entered into eternal rest with his loving family at his side at 5:59 p.m. Friday evening May 8, 2026 at the Highpoint – Health Riverview with Ascension Saint Thomas in Carthage where he was admitted May 4th being treated for pneumonia. Mr. Key was 85.
His longtime pastor, Bro. Tim Frank and his present pastor, Bro. Jim Wilburn, will officiate at the 1 p.m. Monday afternoon May 11th funeral services from the Carthage Chapel of Sanderson Funeral Home. Burial will follow in the Garden of Gethsemane at the Smith County Memorial Gardens.
The Key family will receive friends only on Monday May 11th from 11 a.m. until the 1 p.m. funeral services.
The only child of the late Monoville Community native Harry Gaston Key, who died June 17, 1987 at the age of 68 and Cato Community native Dartha Jane Richmond Key who died January 12, 2013 at the age of 93, he was born James Edward Key in Carthage on July 23, 1940.
Mr. Key’s son-in-law, Gregory Phillips preceded him in death on February 12, 2024 at the age of 56 and a special cousin also preceded Mr. Key in death, Marsha Lynn Green Huffines who died February 4, 2018 at the age of 67.
A member of the 1958 graduating class at Smith County High School, he was a member of the team that defeated Madison 27 to 21 in the Hartsville Tobacco Bowl. Six of their ten opponents never scored a point against the Owls under the coaching of the late Turney Ford that entire season and only one team, the Cookeville Cavilers outscored them. Jimmy played the position of right halfback. With the death of Mr. Key, only four of the fifteen members of the championship tobacco bowl team are surviving.
His major at S.C.H.S. were science and mathematics. Among his major accomplishments while a student at S.C.H.S. was a member of the Beta Club & president of the Beta Club his senior year, was in the junior play cast and his senior year was voted the most dignified male student in the senior class.
The statement made of him in the ’58 annual was; “A used key is always bright”.
In Corinth, Mississippi on June 21, 1958, shortly following graduation, he was united in marriage to his classmate and high school sweetheart, Carthage native, the former Mary Lou Norris. In less than a month of Jimmy’s death, they would have celebrated their sixty-eighth wedding anniversary.
Following high school, he was licensed as a medical technologist and X-Ray technician.
While working at the original Smith County Hospital he was appointed administrator of the facility and continued in that position following the purchase of the hospital by Dr’s Petty and Green and continued after the Hospital Corporation of America purchased the property and changed the name to Smith County Memorial Hospital and when the present facility was constructed he continued as administrator of the newly named Riverview Medical Center until 1977. He was then employed by Pasminco Zinc as benefits manager for Gordonsville, Clarksville and the East Tennessee mine. He retired in 2003.
Mr. Key was a former president of the Smith County Chamber of Commerce.
He came to know the Lord at an early age and as a child attended the Peyton Creek Baptist Church in the Monoville Community, and after marrying and moving to Carthage was a member of the First Baptist Church Carthage where he attended and served as director of attendance and as a Deacon since 1963 and at the time of his passing was a Deacon Emeritus.
Mr. Key was a loving husband, father, friend, neighbor, and church member always willing to lend a hand. The family he leaves behind are a testament to his loyalty and character.
Surviving in addition to his wife Mary Lou are their three children, Steve Key of the Monoville Community and his special friend, Sherry Gibbs of the Defeated Creek Community, Ed Key and wife Tammie Slagle Key of the Monoville Community, Susan Key Phillips of Lebanon; two grandchildren, Michael Key and wife Autumn, Samantha Key Williams and husband Josh all of the Monoville Community, two great-grandchildren, Justin and Jaxson Key.
Active Pallbearers: Josh Williams, Spencer, Ryan, & Bill Huffines, Michael Key & Mike Piper
Honorary Pallbearers: Deacons & Deacons Emeritus, First Baptist Church Carthage &
Jackie Oldham, Billy Toney, Bobby Wilmore, & Bill Ross.
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