Frances Wilmoth Key

Mrs. Frances Wilmoth Key passed away January 5, 2026, surrounded by loving family members at Elkin Hospital. She was a lifelong resident of Stony Knoll, born September 9, 1942, to Delbert and Allie Wilmoth. Frances graduated from Copeland High School where she met the love of her life, J.W. Key, to whom she was married for sixty-five years. Frances retired from Surry County Schools after twenty-nine years at Copeland Elementary. A longtime member of Copeland Baptist Church, Frances served as pianist and later as choir director. She contributed to her community earlier in her life as president of the Ladies Auxiliary and as a first-responder for the South Surry Fire Department. In her retirement, she loved spending time with her pet dogs Yogi and Oliver. As a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend, Frances was a caring person to all who knew her and will be missed. Left to cherish her memories are her husband, J.W. Key; son-in-law John Hodges; granddaughter Aurora Moorefield; grandsons Zackery Hodges, Adam Marion and Wayne Hodges; great grandchildren Joseph Marion, Mya Marion, and Adelyn Marion; great-great granddaughter Crenzen Marion. In addition to her parents, Frances was preceded in death by her son Brian Key and daughter Sandra Hodges. The family visitation will be held Saturday, January 10, 2026, at 6:00pm – 8:00pm at Moody-Davis Funeral Home, Dobson, NC. The funeral service will be Sunday, January 11, 2026, at Copeland Baptist Church at 2:30pm, with Rev. Kenny King and Rev. Joey Jessup officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Flowers will be accepted, or memorials may be made to Copeland Baptist Church, Attn: Doug Perkins, 212 Stony Knoll Rd., Dobson, NC 27017. Moody-Davis Funeral Service in Dobson is respectfully serving the Key family.