Shirley Ann (Tilley) Key

Shirley Ann Tilley Key of Dobson, NC, age 87, passed away on December 20, 2023, at Priddy Manor in King, NC, after a short period of declining health.  

She was born on May 3, 1936, in Lawsonville, NC, to Tommie and Gladys Overby Tilley. She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Spencer Gray Key, Sr. and her son, Judge Spencer Gray Key, Jr. Surviving are two brothers, Myers F. Tilley and Tommy J. (T.J.) Tilley and wife Tamala, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

After graduation from Pilot Mountain High School in 1954 Shirley began working at Hanes Hosiery/HanesBrands in Winston Salem, where she worked until her retirement. Upon retiring from Hanes, she worked several years at Armfield Civic Center in Pilot Mountain.

She was active in her community, involved with several committees in Surry County, and did volunteer work with Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care and Surry County schools. Shirley was a member of Rescue Baptist Church in Pilot Mountain and attended faithfully.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, December 26, from 12 to 1p.m. at Cox-Needham Funeral Home, Pilot Mountain, NC., with the funeral following at 1 p.m. and burial in Crestview Memorial Park in Rural Hall, NC. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the friends and staff at Priddy Manor and Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care for the love and support given to Shirley.

Cox-Needham Funeral Home is respectfully serving the Key family.

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