Mrs. Johnie Maulden Key

We are deeply saddened to announce that our adored mother, Johnie Dean Maulden Key, passed away Friday morning, September 27, 2024, at the age of 96, leaving behind many cherished memories with those she loved. Mrs. Key was born on October 11, 1927, in Coffee County, Georgia to the late John Andrew and Willie Mae Avera Maulden. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Enoch Joseph Key; her brothers, Troy and Billy Maulden; and her son-in-law, Timmy King. As the daughter of the local railroad foreman and under the watchful eye of the conductor, she began riding the train alone to meet her grandmother in Douglas, Georgia at the age of five. As her daddy’s namesake, she fondly recalled tagging along with him as he was fishing, hunting, and going about helping others throughout the community. Her mother was a skilled seamstress and excellent cook passing those same skills on to her. Her parents and grandparents established the charter for Mora Baptist Church, instilling in her the importance of maintaining strong Christian values and a willingness to serve others. She accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior and was baptized in Hebron Lake on her fifteenth birthday. She graduated from high school at sixteen and traveled by train, accompanied by her mother to Rome, Georgia to attend Berry College. At that time, tuition was paid by working on campus. Johnie was assigned to the weaving room where she designed and sewed baby clothes. Her claim to fame was when Henry Ford toured the campus and complimented the quality of one of the outfits she had just sewn. While at Berry, she sang in the Cecilians with a select group of eight girls, was the captain of the volleyball team, and was named Best All Around during her senior year. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Home Economics with a Minor in Chemistry. While at Berry, she met Enoch Key, a young man from Centralhatchee, Georgia who became the love of her life. The two were married in the fall of 1949 and were blessed with five children and 38 years of happiness residing in Bowdon, Georgia. She adored her children and was always a very proud mother. She and Enoch joined Bowdon Baptist Church in 1953 where they faithfully served for many years by teaching Sunday School and fulfilling various leadership roles throughout the church. A natural and gifted teacher, Johnie taught sixth and seventh grade in the 1950’s, owned and operated Key’s Kindergarten from 1965-1982 and was the director/teacher of Bowdon Baptist Kindergarten for several years in the mid 1980’s. She had a passion for teaching and loved her students dearly. This vivacious lady had a zest for life and made every effort to live it to the fullest continuing to participate in dancing, bowling, and traveling well into her eighties. She was an avid reader, talented artist, caring friend/neighbor, beloved wife/mother, and true Southern Belle. She will be remembered for her positive, can-do attitude and will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Family members left to cherish her memory include her daughters and sons-in-law: Terri and Tim Doolittle of Mableton, Georgia, Joy and Mike Mallory of Bowdon, Georgia, Kathy and Freddie Godbee of Gray, Georgia and Jan and Sandy Lloyd of Bowdon, Georgia; her son and daughter-in-law: Elison and Veronica Key of Trussville, Alabama; her sister, Anne Watson of Carrollton, Georgia, her sweetheart of 15 years, George Cosper of Tallapoosa, Georgia, her granddaughters and their spouses: Ashley and Brennan Wood of Muscadine, Alabama, Kristen and Drew Fowlkes of Roopville, Georgia, Lauren and Cameron Smith of Madison, Georgia and her grandson, Joe King of Bowdon, Georgia; her great grandchildren: Conner and Colin Wood, Jamesy and Hudson Fowlkes and Blakeley Smith. The family would like to extend a special heartfelt thank you to her personal caregivers, Kay Musick and Darlene Lacey who lovingly cared for her and provided her with many happy memories, and also to her Hospice nurse, Ali Calhoun, who provided her with unwavering kindness and compassion. All three are assets to their professions, and their genuine concern and emotional support for all of us will never be forgotten. A memorial service to celebrate Mrs. Key’s life and the impact she had on so many others will be held on Sunday, October 6, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. at the chapel of Rainwater Funeral Home. Rev. Mark Williams will officiate and Ashley Wood will deliver a eulogy. Prior to the service, the family will receive friends from 2:00 until the service hour. Flowers will be accepted, but those wishing to do so may make contributions in Mrs. Key’s memory to the American Heart Association. (www.heart.org).

Mrs. Johnie Maulden Key

October 11, 1927 - September 27, 2024

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Mrs. Johnie Maulden Key

October 11, 1927 - September 27, 2024

Sympathy Gifts

What We Do

About Us

Grief & Healing

Resources

Plan Ahead

Obituaries

Contact Information

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