CullmanTimes.com - Cullman, Alabama

Top News

Discussion

May 26, 2008

Key remembered as educator, friend

By Brittany Woodby

BWOODBY@CULLMANTIMES.COM

To hundreds of children, Marvin Key was an inspiration and a mentor, spending 56 years in Cullman County Schools as a coach, teacher and principal.

To others, Key was a friend and an inspiration.

“Mr. Key was one of the most well-loved people I’ve ever known,” friend and co-worker Mary Jane Leverett said. “He was not only my co-worker but one of my best friends. He taught me many life lessons that I will never forget.”

Key was born in Arley on Dec. 9, 1922 to McKinley and Pearlie Fuller Key. After graduating from Meek High School, he spent three years fighting in World War II.

Upon returning home, Key began school at the University of Alabama where he earned his master’s degree in education.

“He was very devoted to his job and the boys and girls he taught,” former county schools superintendent Felton Easterwood said. “He was excellent and an excellent educator. All enjoyed being around Marvin (Key).”

Key took his first job as a coach and teacher at Meek High School. Even though he retired from education in 1991, Leverett said Key never truly left his job.

“He was my boss in 1976 and I worked with him up until (this) Christmas,” she said. “He retired in 1991, but never really quit coming into work. Education and helping kids and teachers, aside from his family, that was his life.”

Leverett said Key was also known for reaching out to those in need in the community.

“He was private; he didn’t want in the limelight,” she said. “What he did, he did to help, not for recognition.”

Still, those in the community took notice of Key’s service and he was named Alumni of the Year at Meek High School, and this year he was awarded The Cullman Times Unsung Hero Award.

Key was chosen as an Unsung Hero for his willingness to get textbooks, desks and materials for students so they could continue to learn. He also established the “Media Mobile” which travels to every school in the county so teachers can get the materials they need.

In his spare time, Key was a photographer.

“At awards ceremonies, if a teacher was being recognized, he was always taking pictures,” Leverett said. “But he didn’t want his picture taken. He was a unique man, and probably the best man I’ve ever known.”

“My relationship with him was nothing but excellent,” Easterwood said. “He was a good fellow.”

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hospice of Cullman County, 402 Fourth Ave. S.E., Cullman, AL 35055 or The American Diabetes Association, 200 Office Park Drive, Suite 303, Birmingham, AL 35233.

Text Only
Top News
  • JUSTIN MARCELL BROWN Man charged with trafficking pot

    Suspicious traffic complaints to the Cullman Narcotics Enforcement Team (CNET) from citizens about the area around Highway 91 in Colony led to the arrest of a local man Tuesday morning.

    February 8, 2012 1 Photo

  • Two women injured in accident in Dodge City

    Two Cullman women were transported by separate helicopters to UAB Tuesday to receive medical treatment following a two-vehicle accident at Dodge City.

    February 7, 2012

  • CANDY RGB PHILLIPS.jpg Candy Phillips Thomas seeking probate judge seat

    Longtime public school teacher Candy Phillips Thomas has announced she will seek the Republican nomination for Cullman County probate judge in the March 13 primary election.

    February 7, 2012 1 Photo

  • 3 arrested in connection with church burglaries

    Three people were arrested over the weekend in connection with a church burglary that took place at Seventh Street Baptist Church in June of last year.
    Eric McMillian turned himself into the Cullman Police Department Saturday and was charged with burglary and receiving stolen property according to officials. A female juvenile was also taken into custody.

    February 7, 2012

  • Hanceville church vandalized; 'Hail Satan' written in cross' place

    Hanceville Police are working on several leads to find out who vandalized Center Hill Baptist Church sometime between Thursday night and the early morning Friday.

    February 6, 2012

  • UPDATED: Woman injured over weekend dies; autopsy shows injuries consistent with fall

    A state forensics autopsy has concluded that a Cullman woman who died due to head trauma over the weekend, after being found unresponsive in the parking lot of her apartment complex Saturday morning, was likely caused by a fall.

    February 6, 2012

  • Drinkard Development Drinkard announces new retail development

    Retail in south Cullman is about to expand again, with the announcement of Drinkard Development’s new Willkommen Center.

    February 5, 2012 1 Photo

  • Public trust at stake in 2012 legislative session

    It’s tough to carry the momentum from an unprecedented wave of election-season support through a full term in office, especially in a year that will ask members of Alabama’s legislative class of 2010 — an effective Republican supermajority with built-in party consensus — to tackle some of the most challenging big-picture issues the state has faced in decades.

    February 5, 2012

  • Lawmakers look at harsh cuts, place hope on private sector growth Lawmakers look at harsh cuts, place hope on private sector growth

    Tuesday will mark the beginning of what is expected to be a trying, and likely contentious, journey through the murky pits of state funding procedures.

    February 5, 2012 1 Photo

  • Police investigate injury to Cullman woman

    Cullman police aren’t yet sure how a local woman, currently hospitalized, ended up lying unresponsive next to her car over the weekend, but they are cautiously treating the incident as though violence could have been involved.

    February 4, 2012