Dorothy Wheat Key

Dorothy Wheat Key, 92, of Bedford, died Friday, February 20, 2009, in a Lynchburg Hospital following a brief illness. She was born in Bedford County on April 5, 1916, a daughter of the late Quince Davis Wheat and Gertrude Kennedy Wheat. Dorothy was a lifetime active member of Otterville United Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday School and held numerous offices. She was also a member of Stoney Creek Rebekah Lodge #103. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Andrew Burford Key, three brothers, Hazael K. Wheat, Bennett T. Wheat and C. Maurice Wheat. Dorothy is survived by her son, Andrew D. Key and his wife, Jami; her grandson and greatest prize, Thomas Andrew Key; her brother, Marvin G. Wheat and his wife, Joan, all of Bedford; two sisters-in-law, Alice H. Wheat, of Bedford and Lucy K. Brooks and her husband, Blair, of Cocoa, Fla.; loving friends, whom she considered her family, Roger Dick, of Moneta, Susan Dick Heath, of Rustburg and Josh Dick, of Lynchburg. She is also survived by her longtime friend whom she viewed as a daughter, Genice Deas of Valdosta, Ga. A celebration of Dorothy's life will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, February 24, 2009 at the Tharp Funeral Chapel, Bedford, with Pastor Mark Wilkerson officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery. While Dorothy enjoyed the beauty of flowers, she also loved helping others, therefore, in lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to Otterville United Methodist Church Scholarship Fund, 6524 Big Island Highway, Bedford, Va. 24523 or Hunters for the Hungry, P.O. Box 304, Big Island, VA 24526. The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday at Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Bedford, 586-3443. To send online condolences please visit www.tharpfuneralhome.com.