Leona Heath Key
Leona Heath Key, 84, of Rural Hall was called home by our Lord Jesus on February 16, 2021 at Forsyth Medical Center. While those who had the privilege to know her and receive her boundless love mourn her passing, the joy and beauty she brought into our lives shall linger in our hearts forever. Born in Stokes County to the late Elmer and Annie Heath, Leona was a true and devout servant of Christ. A member of Poplar Springs Church of Christ, she strove to model a prayerful, faithful life for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Proud yet humble, strong yet tenderhearted, she selflessly gave all of herself and all the love she could muster to her family and to her God. A child of the Great Depression, Leona knew better than most the meaning of hard work and sacrifice. From toiling in her family’s tobacco fields in her youth to fighting courageously through an onslaught of health challenges in her later years, she never quit and never complained. With the fortitude and grace of a steel magnolia, she carried her family through the loss of her first husband, David Boger, after his untimely death at the age of 25. No matter the trials and tribulations which came her way, Leona confronted them with strength, composure, and a smile. Just as she was the source of her family’s strength during good times and bad, her family was the source of her strength and her happiness. She rose and fell with the triumphs and stumbles of her children and grandchildren. Quite simply, they were the center of her life. Leona never missed a school assembly, ballgame, track meet, dance recital, martial arts tournament, graduation, birthday party, or any other event in which her grandchildren participated. And, she certainly made her presence known. She cheered the loudest, clapped the hardest, and never missed an opportunity to brag on her grandchildren’s accomplishments to anyone who would listen. They were all “perfect and wonderful” to her. Leona had the good fortune of knowing true love more than once in her life. Billy Key entered her life in 1965 and they were inseparable for the next 55 years. They loved each other fiercely, supported one another faithfully, and devoted their life together to making a better way for their three daughters, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Leona is preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Annie Heath, and her first husband, David William Boger. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Billy Charles Key of Rural Hall; daughters Pamela Tyson (Zan) of High Point, Mae Jackson (John) of Mooresville, and Lori Cain (Andrew) of Forest City; grandchildren Alex Tyson (Melannie) of Mooresville, David Tyson (Jessica) of Clemmons, Thomas Jackson (Kimberly) of Raleigh, Leigh Tyson (Davis Bateman) of Raleigh, Hunter Cain of Rutherfordton, and Sarah Cain of Cullowhee; great-grandchildren Olin Tyson and Tyson Bateman – all of whom await in happy anticipation the day when we shall be reunited with our sweet Mother and Grandma. Due to public health concerns, funeral services will be held in private with the burial to follow at Forsyth Memorial Park. Online condolences may be sent to www.salemfh.com. Because she had such a love for children and their education, in lieu of flowers, we request donations be made in Leona’s memory to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library c/o The Dollywood Foundation, 111 Dollywood Lane, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863.Obituary
Leona Heath Key, 84, of Rural Hall was called home by our Lord Jesus on February 16, 2021 at Forsyth Medical Center. While those who had the privilege to know her and receive her boundless love mourn her passing, the joy and beauty she brought into our lives shall linger in our hearts forever. Born in Stokes County to the late Elmer and Annie Heath, Leona was a true and devout servant of Christ. A member of Poplar Springs Church of Christ, she strove to model a prayerful, faithful life for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Proud yet humble, strong yet tenderhearted, she selflessly gave all of herself and all the love she could muster to her family and to her God. A child of the Great Depression, Leona knew better than most the meaning of hard work and sacrifice. From toiling in her family’s tobacco fields in her youth to fighting courageously through an onslaught of health challenges in her later years, she never quit and never complained. With the fortitude and grace of a steel magnolia, she carried her family through the loss of her first husband, David Boger, after his untimely death at the age of 25. No matter the trials and tribulations which came her way, Leona confronted them with strength, composure, and a smile. Just as she was the source of her family’s strength during good times and bad, her family was the source of her strength and her happiness. She rose and fell with the triumphs and stumbles of her children and grandchildren. Quite simply, they were the center of her life. Leona never missed a school assembly, ballgame, track meet, dance recital, martial arts tournament, graduation, birthday party, or any other event in which her grandchildren participated. And, she certainly made her presence known. She cheered the loudest, clapped the hardest, and never missed an opportunity to brag on her grandchildren’s accomplishments to anyone who would listen. They were all “perfect and wonderful” to her. Leona had the good fortune of knowing true love more than once in her life. Billy Key entered her life in 1965 and they were inseparable for the next 55 years. They loved each other fiercely, supported one another faithfully, and devoted their life together to making a better way for their three daughters, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Leona is preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Annie Heath, and her first husband, David William Boger. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Billy Charles Key of Rural Hall; daughters Pamela Tyson (Zan) of High Point, Mae Jackson (John) of Mooresville, and Lori Cain (Andrew) of Forest City; grandchildren Alex Tyson (Melannie) of Mooresville, David Tyson (Jessica) of Clemmons, Thomas Jackson (Kimberly) of Raleigh, Leigh Tyson (Davis Bateman) of Raleigh, Hunter Cain of Rutherfordton, and Sarah Cain of Cullowhee; great-grandchildren Olin Tyson and Tyson Bateman – all of whom await in happy anticipation the day when we shall be reunited with our sweet Mother and Grandma. Due to public health concerns, funeral services will be held in private with the burial to follow at Forsyth Memorial Park. Online condolences may be sent to www.salemfh.com. Because she had such a love for children and their education, in lieu of flowers, we request donations be made in Leona’s memory to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library c/o The Dollywood Foundation, 111 Dollywood Lane, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863.
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Winston-Salem, NC 27106