Gladys Brockington Key

On February 16, 2021 at 4:35pm, Gladys Brockington Key transitioned to her eternal home at the age of 98yrs. Old in McDonough, Georgia where she resided under the loving care of her daughter Carla and son-in law Willie Austin. Gladys was born in Florence, South Carolina to the parents of Hannibal and Emma Brockington on June 12, 1922, she was the youngest of 14 children. At the age of seven her family moved from Florence, South Carolina to Baltimore, Maryland. She was raised with such love and compassion. She was spoiled by all her family she was called “Baby” from the time of her birth and that was the name all the family called her even to date. Our Mother received her education From Baltimore Public Schools. She was a member of Rehoboth church under the ministry of Bishop Carr whom she adored. Mom always mentioned how blessed her family was to be taught by such a well-versed man of God. She took the love that God had planted in her heart everywhere she went for the rest of her life. She said from a child in her immediate family there was so much love she would say, “That’s what is missing in the world and families today”. At the age of 25 she married Joseph E. Key on May 5, 1947. He was in the United States Army, so she became a military wife immediately. Together Joseph and Gladys raised six children and everywhere he was stationed he took his family. They were stationed in Japan and four of those years her husband became a prisoner of war. It was a very difficult time for her and for her children to know her beloved husband was missing in action. She had always had faith that he would return, and so he did. In the year of 1963, she received the news that her husband was alive and had been released and was being debriefed. Of course, that was the happiest day of her life! She was such a strong mother. She had a way of handling hardship with such grace. She would say, “When there is a problem you couldn’t solve take it to God and he will handle it!” Returning to the States she was overjoyed to be finally reunited with all her family whom she loved and missed so much. Mom loved babies so much she decided to take a nursing course and began working at Franklin Square Hospital in labor and delivery, Mom was in her world. She later joined her sister’s church St. James Apostolic in Glenn Burnie, Maryland under Bishop Eugene and Irene Johnson. Gladys was so happy to be around family once again, she loved to sing all of her family did, they were so talented they would meet at her sister’s home on Friday nights and sit around the piano with her family singing praises and Glorifying God. She loved especially when they all would harmonize. They all were very good at doing that, she also sang professionally over in Japan, she had her own band and was well known. Singing has always been something she enjoyed. Upon the death of her brother-in-law Bishop Johnson and her sister Irene Johnson she joined First United Apostolic Church under the ministry of her niece Alberta Saunders and Bishop Monroe Saunders Sr. Mom became a member of the Mother Board and was faithful until she became ill. Mom was a person so down to earth with everyone. Anyone could talk to her, she always showed love. She was a character. Mom loved to laugh and she loved people. We never saw our Mother angry. She knew how to make a house s a home. Mom always made our home a place we always wanted to be, she played games with us all the time. She would teach us how to play cords on the piano, she loved to try to teach us to harmonize; I don’t think we had that gift! It was so much fun. God had given Mom a gift to write songs. She had written many songs and had some of them published. So, we enjoyed our home and our friends enjoyed coming over as well. All her family was always welcome to stop in at any time, and they did because they loved their “Aunt Baby” and she loved them back. A lot of the children in the neighborhood called her “Momma Key”. She loved on all the children in our neighborhood and they loved her back. She also led the “Purity Class” for the young ladies at Greater Bethlehem Temple. Our Mom was the glue to our family, what Dad didn’t do our Mom did so no matter what came about they handled it so well. We all grew up to be strong survivors never giving up staying in the race and that we did, we are who we are because we had parents that made us grounded individuals. After the death of her husband of 47 years of marriage. Mom’s health began to decline. Her youngest daughter Deborah and her Eldest son Ezarick took care of her the best they could. In 2005 she moved to McDonough, Georgia with her daughter Carla and son-in-law Willie until she was called home to Glory. Gladys leaves to cherish her precious memories, four children Joseph Key, Johnathan Key, Cathy Edwards, Carla Austin, two sons-in-law, Willie Austin and Sterling Edwards, two daughters-in-laws, Lisa Key and Arette Garrison. 18 grandchildren Ezarick Jr., Carlos, Melissa, Erika, Lorna, Clorinda, Joseph Jr., Von, J.J., Tonia, James, Joey, Jenise, Jada, Joshua, Yavette, Pennenton, Brandon, Brittaney, Kellie, Nicholas. and 36 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, and a host of friends and family. Those who have passed on her Husband Joseph E. Key, Ezarick Key. Deborah Key, James Key. Joseph Mills, Bridget Key and Jason.

Tributes

Gladys Brockington Key

June 9, 1922 - February 16, 2021