Beverley "Bev" D. Key

Beverley Gail Dollar Key, 75, of Trussville passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family and entered her eternal rest on Monday, April 28, 2025 after a sixteen-year battle with Lymphoma.

Bev was preceded in death by her parents Velt and Jimmie Dollar. She is survived by her loving husband of 51 years, Gerald Key; sons Ryan (Kelly) Key, Chad (Christi) Key, and Jared Key; her five beloved grandchildren: Colton, Lindsey, Maddie, Caleb, and Asher. She is also survived by her brother Danny (Courtney) Dollar; sisters Jan (LeGrand) Hutchison and Pat Lyles (Rick Trescott) as well as many dear nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Bev was born on November 10, 1949 in Birmingham, AL. After graduating from Erwin High School in 1968, she attended Auburn University, where in addition to receiving her degree in Elementary Education, she met the love of her life, Butch Key, on a blind date. After marrying Butch in August of 1973 and moving to Fort Walton, she attended the University of West Florida where she received her master’s degree.

Bev began her most rewarding work in 1977 when Ryan was born. She embraced her role as a stay-at-home mother and cherished the time she had with her three sons. After Jared started school, Bev returned to the classroom, where she taught third grade for the majority of her career. She was loved by co-workers, students, and parents alike.

Bev’s life was centered around faith and family. She enjoyed life to the fullest, pursuing many hobbies including sewing, working outside, playing cards, cheering on her beloved Auburn Tigers, genealogy research, and fishing in the pond. She loved beach trips with her family, and her “happy place” was the family farm in Moulton. Her greatest joy was being with her husband, children, and especially being a “Mimi” to her five grandchildren, whom she adored.

Most importantly, Bev loved the Lord. She was baptized in Fort Walton Beach, FL in 1974 and was an active member of the church the rest of her life. She taught children's Bible classes for many years, served as a camp counselor at Maywood Christian Camp, and constantly sought out those in the church who needed encouragement. Even in recent years, as her own health failed, she worked tirelessly in the card ministry at the Deerfoot Church of Christ ensuring fellow members received a card in times of illness or on special birthdays, and she always included a dollar in each birthday card. Bev was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2009 and bravely battled five recurrences of cancer over the next sixteen years. She was a warrior who never complained about her circumstances and always sought to encourage others who were facing similar challenges. Through it all, she was a rock for her family. Those who knew and loved her were “blessed beyond measure” (a phrase she loved and proclaimed about her life). Bev wanted to be remembered simply as a “New Testament Christian Woman.”

A private graveside ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 1 at Alabama National Cemetery. The family extends their heartfelt thanks to Dr. Mehta and the dedicated nurses and staff of the Kirklin Clinic at UAB Hematology Oncology, 5th Floor, for the wonderful care they provided to Bev over the years. In honor of her memory, the family kindly requests that any memorial donations be directed to support the vital work carried out by the clinic.