Mrs. Opal Key Smith, age 103, of Elkin, passed away on Tuesday, March 24, 2015, at Chatham Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Mrs. Smith was born October 30, 1911 in Surry County to the late John Martin Key and Elisa Hodges Key. She retired from Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital in Elkin. She was of the Baptist faith, accepting Jesus Christ as her Savior at a young age and was a member of Bessie's Chapel Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Ray Smith, her brothers, Paul, Foley and Charlie Key, her sisters, Lena Collins, Mabel Mooney, Cora Ray, Betty Southard and Hattie Wall. She had no children of her own, but was a mother figure to many. Survivors include: several nieces and nephews, including a niece, Barbara Freeman and nephew, Buddy Key who were her caregivers. She is also survived by many great-nieces and great- nephews, who thought that there was no one as special as Aunt Opal. One reason she was loved so much was because of always having such a cheerful smile for others. When you went to visit her, she always made your day brighter by just being in her presence. Some of the highlights of her later years were getting an official greeting from Rep. Virginia Foxx on her one hundredth birthday, and a proclamation from Elkin Mayor Lestine Hutchins on her one hundred and first birthday, proclaiming October 30, 2013 as, "Opal Key Smith Day" in the town of Elkin. A graveside service will be held Wednesday, March 25, 2015 at 4:00 p.m. at Crestwood Memorial Gardens with Rev. Matty Ponce-de-Leon officiating. Memorials may be made to Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care, 688 North Bridge Street, Elkin, NC 28621. Many thanks to Chatham Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for the love and care they gave Aunt Opal during her time there. Special thanks to Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care for their care and compassion.
