Margaret Key

Obituary For Margaret Key

The first born child to parents, James and Everlena Coburn, was a beautiful baby girl, who was named Margaret. Although she was the first, Margaret would be blessed to become the big sister to seven additional siblings: Mildred, Nita, Ida, James, Delores, Michael, and June.

Margaret was an adorable child who was proud of her status as the big sister, a role that she took quite seriously. Margaret began early in life learning and developing a sense of humility, responsibility, compassion, morality, Christian virtues and values that would later define and prepare her for living a life loving the Lord, loving her neighbors, and addressing the needs of humanity to the best of her God-given ability.

Out of her natural curiosity, Margaret decided one Sunday to ask for her parents’ permission to visit Metropolitan Baptist Church located in close proximity to their residence. After attending the worship services, Margaret invited her parents to visit the church the following Sunday and they agreed to do so.

As a result, the family subsequently joined the church under the pastoral leadership of Rev. Dr. S.A. Owen. Prior to joining Metropolitan; however, the Coburns were members of Middle Baptist Church located on Lane Avenue, where Margaret confessed her faith in Christ and had been baptized.

As with most students living in South Memphis, Margaret attended and graduated from Booker T. Washington High School. With very few career or employment opportunities available to African-Americans due to the Jim Crow Era of the South, the reality of Margaret’s future was conflicted, with the question being asked: Should I stay in Memphis, or should I leave?

During the summer months after graduating from high school, Margaret gained employment at Leonard’s Restaurant as a waitress. It was there that she met James Key, who she later married and had three children: Shelia, Sidney, and James, Jr.

The young couple experienced financial hardship and marital problems that resulted in Margaret making a crucial decision to follow her dreams and to leave Memphis in hopes of raising her children in an environment different from the Jim Crow system of segregation commonly found in the South.

Having gained invaluable childcare experience in the past by assisting with the care of her younger siblings, as well as her own three children, Margaret decided to explore employment opportunities on the East Coast, where she had seen ads in the newspaper advertising for live-in nannies. She applied for a position in Newark, New Jersey, and was hired.

After a few years, Margaret had saved enough money to rent her own apartment. She became a home health care provider affording her with the flexibility to be at home to nurture and support her three young school-aged children.

Returning to Memphis in an effort to prepare her children for the trip to New Jersey was a time of hopeful expectation and great sadness. But through it all, Margaret learned to trust in Jesus. She understood the possibilities of having to overcome challenges; but she also believed in the scripture verse found in Philippians 4:13 that states: “I can do all things in Christ, who strengthens me.”

After a long and exhausting Greyhound bus ride from Memphis to Newark, Margaret’s excitement was overwhelming, yet filled with moments of anxiety. She was finally able to exhale and experience what it meant to live and survive in a society that did not have overtly physical racial barriers. Her children could be enrolled in an integrated public school system, as well as enjoy other public amenities routinely enjoyed by whites, but denied to African-Americans in the South.

Establishing a relationship with a local church was of utmost importance to Margaret. She joined St. Peters Catholic Church with her children and was quite excited to learn the key beliefs of Catholicism, especially since she had been brought up in a Baptist Church. Each of her three children attended and subsequently graduated from Catholic Schools in the city of Newark.

Margaret was eager to introduce her children to New Jersey and across the bridge was New York City. They went to the beach in Atlantic City, rode the ferry down the Hudson River, and visited Broadway Productions. She liked to dance and sing. The young mother from South Memphis was becoming more cosmopolitan in the way that she dressed and her southern charm was quite exhilarating.

She involved herself in social causes and advocated for freedom and justice for all. She embraced her civic responsibilities and often worked at the polls during elections. She helped feed and clothe the needy citizens in the community and beyond.

In order to maximize her earning potential, Margaret was compelled to enroll in evening classes at Essex County College, where she graduated with a degree in Health Education. Later enrolling in St. Peter’s College, Margaret earned a degree in Nursing, which enabled her to obtain a license and gain employment in various medical facilities throughout New Jersey and other states.

While residing in New Jersey, in 1985, Margaret joined the Order of Eastern Star, an organization which provided her tremendous leadership and developmental opportunities. She held many positions in the Order. After residing in New Jersey for over 40 years, Margaret returned to her hometown in Memphis, where she united with the fellowship at St. Augustine Catholic Church.

Maintaining her membership in the Order of Eastern Star, Margaret became the Worthy Matron of Queens of Sheba and Grand District Matron of District 4, and the Grand Commandress of the Shrine Department of the State of Tennessee.

A few years after returning to Memphis, Margaret decided to return to New Jersey, where she lived until she began to experience a seemingly serious health crisis. Margaret was very health conscious; she got a tremendous amount of exercise by walking daily and she maintained a well-balanced nutritious diet. Reflecting back on an earlier medical crisis, Margaret said I will continue to trust in the Lord.

As a young seventeen-year-old teenager, Margaret was diagnosed with a serious medical condition that required cranial surgery. Even though the prognosis of survival after such a surgical procedure was very low, Margaret not only survived, but she thrived knowing that the God that saved David from the giant, Goliath, had also saved her from the giant tumor growing near her brain. To God, we give you the glory, praise, and honor.

In September of 2023, her son, James, made what he referred to as an Executive Decision and brought his mom back to Memphis so that he and his wife, Michelle, could take care of her. It was Margaret’s steadfast commitment; however, to remain in New Jersey. But it was her son’s steadfast commitment to do whatever he had to do to provide for and care for his mom, even if it meant bringing her to Memphis against her expressed will because he said: She is worthy of my love and care, whatever it takes.

Just like David, the Psalmist, Margaret said: “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul; He leadeth me in the path of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for Thou are with me. Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou prepared a table for me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointed my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Amen.

Margaret leaves for her family and others to cherish her memories and to emulate her spirit of love; Love the Lord thy God with all your heart; and love your neighbor as yourself: her son, James Young; daughter-in-law, Michelle; sisters, Nita, Ida, and June; brother-in-law, Terrance; OES Sisters, Ora Lee, Shriners, Masons; nieces, Michelle, Pam, Erica Nichole, and Katrina; nephews, Ryan, Evan, Dierre, Todd, Travis, Chris, Sherrod, Keith, and Horace; grandchildren, Shinard, Armon, Jyoung, Shawn, James, Sheena, Kristina, Shenila, Lakesha, Lashonda, Monique, and Tynisha; great-grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by: her parents, James and Everlena Coburn; daughter, Shelia Yvonne Key; son, Sidney Eugene Key; sisters, Mildred Vivian Coburn-Gooden and Delores Juanita Coburn; and her brothers, James Harvey Coburn and Michael Darnell Coburn

The family will receive friends Friday, March 1, 2024 from 4:00pm-6:00pm at RS Lewis & Sons 3651 Austin Peay Hwy, Memphis, TN 38128. Graveside service will be Saturday, March 2, 2024 11:00am at Calvary Cemetery

Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, 1663 Elvis Presley Blvd, Memphis, TN 38106