John Baker Key, Jr.

John Baker Key Jr., 73, passed away on Tuesday, February 16, 2016, in Cordova, Tennessee. Born in Greenville, Mississippi to the late John Baker Key Sr. and Mary Louise Livesay Key, John spent much of his young life in Avon, Mississippi. A larger than life character, John graduated from Riverside High School and Mississippi Delta Junior College, where he enjoyed playing football. He was a people person who cherished his many lifelong friends. Having never met a stranger, John loved recounting stories and making people laugh. His Delta roots were a defining characteristic of his personality. He was known for his fabulous sense of humor and sentimental nature. Those who knew him best are aware that his faith was important to him. He was a longtime member of Avon Methodist Church, attended Community Bible Study in Greenville for many years and he found comfort in the Sunday School classes at Cordova Baptist Church. Later in his life, he moved with his wife, Carol, to Memphis to be closer to their children. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved daughter Tracy Key Kiker and son-in-law, John Kiker. He is survived by his wife, Carol Chism Key; son, Taylor, and his wife, Stephanie, and their child, Harper, of Germantown, Tennesee; daughter, Terri, and her husband, Mike, of Cordova, Tennessee; sister, Betty Anne Stevenson and her husband, Bill, of Shreveport, Louisiana; grandson Hunter Kiker, and his wife, Laura, of Pensacola, Florida and their children, Lila and Maggie. He is also survived by nieces, nephews and cousins. A Memorial service will be held Saturday, February 20th in Memphis, TN. Visitation at 1pm, Service at 2pm. Memphis Funeral Home, 5599 Poplar Avenue.