Jean Marie Key-4-10-2025

Jean Marie Key, was born January 10, 1941, in Hardaway, Alabama. She was the seventh of fifteen children born to Algie Key, Sr. and Carolyn Harkless Key. She accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at the tender age of twelve years old at the Damascus Baptist Church in Hardaway, Alabama. Jean attended the Damascus Church School for her early education. Later attending Prairie Farms High School in Shorter, Alabama, where she graduated in 1960. Shortly after graduating high school, she followed her older siblings to New Jersey, where she would eventually settle down and raise her family.

Jean joined the Friendship Baptist Church in Asbury Park shortly after moving to New Jersey, where she faithfully served on the Usher Ministry for over thirty years, serving as its Board President for many years. Jean also served with the Food Ministry for many years before moving her membership to the United Fellowship Baptist Church, also in Asbury Park. While at United Fellowship Baptist Church, she continued to serve with the Usher Ministry until her health began to decline.

Jean loved attending worship services. You could find her and her children in church each and every Sunday, attending Sunday school, morning service, afternoon service; and oftentimes, evening service, and weekly prayer service. She simply loved the Lord and loved to worship and serve Him. Jean enjoyed Gospel concerts and would travel across the state and sometimes around the country to attend them. For her, there was nothing better than good toe-tapping, hand-clapping Gospel singing.

Her children and grandchildren were her pride and joy; and, there was nothing that she would not do for them. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and attending their activities, events and school programs throughout the years. Jean spoke highly of her beloved daughter, ‘The Boss” and her son, who was her “Baby Boy’ even into adulthood. She was very proud of her children and grandchildren to say the least. She was also very close and committed to her extended family. There was a special place in her heart for her parents and each of siblings. Jean loved sharing stories and memories of their time growing up in Alabama. After moving to New Jersey, Jean and her siblings were very intentional about gathering together the extended family for holidays, cookouts and other celebrations to continue creating memories with the next generation. There was nothing more important to her than family.

Jean was an exceptional cook. She made sure her family had a home cooked meal during the week, and a soulful dinner with all the trimmings on Sundays. She was known for her cornbread stuffing and sweet potato pies, often receiving requests from family and friends to prepare these dishes for holidays and special occasions and she always graciously obliged (and did it with love).

Jean enjoyed a good game of Pokeno. She was a member of the local Pokeno Club and would meet monthly for some good old fashion fun playing the game. Everyone who knew Jean, knew that she loved to dance. She was a very good dancer, and she continued to sing and dance for the Lord until the end.

Jean was predeceased by her father, Algie Key, Sr. and, her mother, Carolyn “Doll” Key; sisters, Juanita Upshaw, and Delores Key; and her brothers, William Key and Algie Key, Jr.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her son, Kenneth (Cassandra) Key, daughter, Myra (Darren) Carter; grandchildren, Jamar Key, Nahja Carter, Kendra Key, Amaya Carter, Amari Key, and Mikayla Carter; her great-grandson, Hasseim Carter; six sisters, Ethel Davis, Helen Bradforth, Janice Lawrence, Ireice Walker, Rubye (Burl) Malone, Thelma Townsend; four brothers, John (Annette) Key, Sr., Muhasibi (Ludell) Khayyam, Ronald (Lola) Key, Sr., and Eldridge Key; godchildren, Karla Davis, Davisha Pratt, and Jhaad Fowler, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.