Shirley & Thomas Key

Thomas C. Key, Sr., 78 and Shirley Creech Key, 73, were tragically killed in a car accident on October 24, 2008 in Johnston County. Tom, a native of Shoals, NC, was the son of Porter and Nellie Key. Tom graduated from Shoals High School in 1948. He attended Gardner Webb College and Duke Law School and graduated from High Point College. He served in the Army during the Korean Conflict. Following his military service, Tom worked at Liggett & Myers, the State of NC, and Jenkins and Grant. Most recently, Tom was the owner of Diamond Builders. Shirley, a native of Durham, was the daughter of Grover and Martha Creech. She graduated from Lowes Grove High School in 1954. She worked at Liggett & Myers and Pickard Roofing, and for many years was office maneer for Dr. Riley Stallings, DDS. Shirley and Tom married in Durham and just celebrated their 53rd wedding anneersary on October 23. They were active members of Lowe's Grove Baptist Church, where both sang in the choir for many years and served on neerous committees and where Tom served as a deacon. Tom and Shirley were much beloved by their church family and community. Tom and Shirley are survived by their daughter, Tammie Elizabeth Key of Wilmington; two sons, Thomas C. Key, Jr. of Chatham County and Timothy Creech Key and wife, Terry of Charlotte; two grandchildren, Zoe Key and Athaneey; and nephew Ronald Key and his wife, Lauren, and their son Shaun. A service celebrating the lives of Tom and Shirley will be 11:00 AM Tuesday in Lowe's Grove Baptist Church, with the Rev. Forest Gale officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends 6-9 PM Monday at Hall-Wynne Funeral Home and other times at the residence, 1125 Little Creek Dr. Durham. Donations in Shirley and Tom's memory may be made to Lowe's Groves Baptist Church Music Fund, 4430 South Alston Ave., Durham 27713.