Mr. Sammie Lee Key

KEY, Mr. Sammie Lee - Age 76, passed away Thursday, May 21, 2015 at Beaumont Hospital -Royal Oak, MI. Family hour 12 p.m. Friday, May 29, 2015 at Fairhaven Seventh-Day Adventist Church, G-1379 W. Louis Ave., with memorial service commencing at 1 p.m. Family and friends will assemble at the church 12 p.m. Friday. Mr. Key will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd. and may be viewed from 4 p.m.- 8 p.m. Thursday only. Mr. Sammie Lee Key was born in Hickman, Arkansas on March 7, 1939 to Lawrence and Eddie Mae (Waters) Key. He grew up in Dowagiac, Michigan, and graduated from Dowagiac High School. Sam loved music and basketball. He received a full classical music scholarship to attend Western Michigan University. Determined to play collegiate basketball, he transitioned to the basketball team as a walk-on, and later became Captain, fulfilling his dream. Hardwired by the Creator with the gift of teaching, he received his Master’s of Education from California State University Los Angeles, while working for the United States Postal Service. Sam taught elementary school for the Los Angeles school system. He later traveled to Europe to play professional basketball in Belgium. During his eight-year stay in Belgium, Sam was the Assistant Principal, Teacher, and Basketball Coach for the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) schools. Upon returning to the States, he began doctoral studies at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, and worked at General Motors Engine Plant in Flint. The pull of the classroom was ever-present, and he retired from General Motors to begin a twenty-three-year season of educating children in the Flint School District. After retirement, he continued to teach at the University of Michigan-Flint School of Education, evaluating and preparing student teachers to mold young minds. Sam was never one to be idle; he was always learning, sharing, and encouraging. He worked as a Substance Abuse Counselor at Insight and Columbia Aire, and as an Academic Counselor at Mott Community College. Mr. Sammie Lee Key gave his life to Christ at an early age, and later in life joined the Seventh Day Adventist Church. As a member of 1st Flint, Eternal Life and Fairhaven churches, he served faithfully as an Elder, Sabbath School Superintendent, Teacher, and Prison Ministries Leader. Sam’s greatest passion was studying and sharing the Word of God. Sam loved being with his family, playing and watching basketball, and playing racquetball. He also enjoyed reading, listening to classical music, journaling, having fun with friends and teaching. He was known as “Coach” to many. Mr. Sammie Lee Key passed away peacefully in the arms of Jesus and his beloved wife of 36 years, Judith, after a courageous two-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. He touched the lives of many people around the world with his beautiful smile, his passion for Christ, his gift of teaching, patience, gentle spirit, and love. He will be truly missed by family, friends, students, and associates. We bow our heads in submission and lift our hearts in praise to God for the life of this wonderful man. May we live our lives in a way that reflects his legacy, and renew our commitment to join him on the “sea of glass” to hear the words “well done, good and faithful servant.” Mr. Sammie Lee Key leaves to cherish his memory and carry on his legacy: wife, Judith Peck Key of Mt. Morris, MI; 3 daughters, Darlynda (David) Bogle of Columbia, MD, Kimberlee Key of Greenbelt, MD, and Debra McKinney of Starkville, MS; 4 sons, Michael (Erin) Key of Waldorf, MD, Steven (Janka) Key of Germany, Joshua (Jennifer) Key of Dallas, TX, and Jonathan Key of Mt. Morris, MI; 12 grandchildren, Brandon Bogle, Evan Bogle, Ryan Bogle, Jalen Ross, Ashli Harrison, Ryann McGee and Rodney McGee, Jr., all of Maryland; Brickney Gregory, of Georgia, Tayler Key, Kendal Key and Kammeron Key, all of California, Sidney Key and Noah Key, both of Germany, Asher Key of Texas, Amaya Key of Canada, Edwardo Gibson of Illinois; 5 great-grandchildren; 3 sisters, Dorothy Bailey of Niles, MI, Robin Key of California and Rhonda Key-Mobley of Florida; brother, Johnnie (Donna) Northern of Detroit, MI; 8 nieces, Tinita Matthews, Carol (Tolland) Jennings, and Jamie Mincy, all of Georgia, Darecia Scott of California, Shiedah (Jason) Smith of Michigan, Celeste Northern of New York, Kiandra (Wayne) Johnson of Georgia, and Victoria Witherspoon of California; 5 nephews, Darrell Williams of California, Edward Murray, Al Kynte Smith, Steve (Jackie) Little, all of Michigan; aunt, Flora Waters of Dowagiac, of Michigan; cousins, James (Nancy) Waters, Leroy Waters, all of Benton Harbor, MI, Larry (Adrienne) Waters of Milwaukee, WI and Thelma Holmes of Arkansas; 3 sisters-in-law, Margaret Wren of Flint, LaVada Dean of Farmington Hills, MI and Tammy Peck of Atlanta, GA; a host of other relatives, friends, heart-children and friends including special friends, Shelton and Gloria Davison of Flint, Joseph and Marva Williams of Kissimmee, FL, Murphy Riley, James and Chrisele Green, all of Flint, and Paula (Russell) Davis of Orlando, FL. Mr. Sammie Lee Key was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence Key, Eddie Mae Sanders; grandmother, Annie Mae Waters; sister, Helen Holloway; mother-in-law, Joyce Little. The family would like to express special thanks to the staff of William Beaumont Hospital Royal Oak 4th, 5th and Hospice floors and our angel, Dr. Tejas Cuchelkar.

Mr. Sammie Lee Key

March 7, 1939 - May 21, 2015