Neva Key-Newton

1912 - 2008

Neva was born on March 14, 1912, approximately one month before the sinking of the Titanic. She passed from this life January 9, 2008. Her parents were Tom Christian and Lillie Dale McDonald Christian. She was twelve years old when her mother died, leaving her to help care for her younger brothers and sisters, where they were all expected to work on the family farm milking 13 cows twice a day. Four years later she met and would soon marry George Thomas Key on December 22, 1928. Around this time, Neva obeyed the gospel call and was baptized into Christ. Soon would come the years of the great depression where George and Neva engaged mainly in the farming and trucking business. Neva was very industrious and could stretch a dollar. She always kept a garden and canned her fruits and vegetables. Two children were born to Neva and George, George T. Key, Jr. and Patricia Lou (Patty) – the two children being 13 years apart, Patty starting kindergarten the same day George Jr. started college. Later on, in 1961, she and George started "The Keys Tollhouse Café" in Tollhouse, CA. They ran the café for five years before finally retiring to live in Clovis, CA. George died in 1988, thus ending a 59 ½ year marriage marked by unwavering commitment during good times and bad. The lasting legacy of George and Neva would be, so far, four generations of faithful, believing Christians. Eight years later, at age 84, Neva met and married Floyd Newton, 87, a man she met attending church. Their marriage would last for four years until Floyd's passing. Even at age 88, Neva kept an enthusiasm for life. Her life was full of Church functions, gardening, art, doll collecting and socializing. Her energy was a sight to behold. Neva was preceded in death by her son, George, Jr. and grandson Scott Drennan. She is survived by daughter Pat Burton and her husband Brett of Bakersfield; brothers, Harold Christian and his wife Richie of Fort Worth, TX, Raymond Christian and his wife Mary of Fort Worth, TX; sisters, Faye Powell of Missouri, Mettie Dell Makowski and her husband Henry of Luling, TX and Ila Rae Shaw and her husband Ray of Kennedy, TX; granddaughters, Linda Waymire and husband Galen of Louisiana, Brenda Bigelow and husband Vance of Bakersfield, Devra Ryker and husband Darren of Bakersfield, Angela Hullah and husband Chris of Bakersfield; grandson Phil Drennan; as well as 19 great grandchildren and 12 great great grandchildren. Also dear friend Jack Wheeler of Clovis, CA who looked out for Neva in her later years. We want to thank the caregivers at Spruce Gardens in Bakersfield, CA where Neva lived her last days in a beautiful residential setting with 5 other lovely ladies and round the clock attention. Thank you to Evelyn Murray, Shay Thomas, Carolina Mayorca and Luella Bonner. Services will be held on Tuesday, January, 15th at 1:00 at the Woodward Park Church of Christ in Fresno, CA. Services conducted by Pete Bryant. Internment to follow at Clovis Cemetery. For further information please contact Boice Funeral Home at (559) 299-4372. We love you, Grandma "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints" Psalm 116:15 Neva Key-Newton Mar. 14, 1912 - Jan. 9, 2008