Charles Byng Key, Jr.

Charles Byng Key, age 87, resident of Somerville, Tennessee, went to be with the Lord on Saturday evening, December 31, 2016 at his home in Somerville.

Services of Remembrance for Mr. Key were conducted at 11 A.M. Friday, January 6, 2017 at the Peebles Main Funeral Chapel in Somerville with Rev. Stan McDaniel, pastor of the First United Methodist Church in Somerville, officiating. Interment followed in the Dancyville Cemetery. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes & Cremation Center – Main Chapel of Somerville.

Mr. Key was born August 22, 1929 in Brownsville, Tennessee. A 1948 graduate of Fayette County High School, he married Vivian Johnson of New Bethel community before joining the US Air Force. He returned to Somerville in 1953, and was a local merchant for over 60 years in a wide variety of retail businesses and real estate. Additionally, he served as the Fayette County General Sessions judge in the early 1970’s and was the chairman of the Fayette County Republican Party for many years. Mr. Key was of the Methodist faith and attended the First United Methodist Church in Somerville. Mr. Key enjoyed working in his stores, buying and selling real estate and fishing.

Mr. Key is survived by his three sons, Chuck Key (Sheri) of Burke, Virginia, Russell Key (Tongia), and Gary Key, all of Murfreesboro, Tennessee; his sister, Mary McCollum of Dallas, Texas; four grandsons, Justin, Chad, Alex and Carson; and his great-grandson, Wilder.

Mr. Key was preceded in death by his parents, Charles B. Key and Mary Frances Barden Key; his step-father, Thomas Vernon Rogers; his brother, William Preston Key; and his sister, Virginia Dare Key.

Those honored to serve as pallbearers were Alex Key, Carson Key, Justin Key, Chester Pulliam, Ricky Rosser and Dr. John Cima. Honorary pallbearers were Bobby Morris, Alex Moore, David Fowler, Hugh Parks and Robert Moffett.