Barbara Louise Key

A million words cannot begin to tell the beautiful story of Barbara Louise Key’s life. She lived passionately, cherishing the little moments that most people overlook. She was truly grateful for her family and her friends; and, words cannot express how grateful we are for being blessed with such an amazing woman.

Her chronicle started on November 26, 1949, in Rumford ME, when she was born to parents William Gilbert Perry and Marie Lorraine Maranda. Through many plot twists and turns, her journey on this planet came to its conclusion as she peacefully began a new chapter in a Heavenly setting on Sunday, May 27, 2018.

As was tradition, Barbara followed in the footsteps of much of her family and served in the U.S. Marine Corps. Her service did not end there, as she continued to serve her community as a Medical Assistant for many years; and finally retiring as an Office Manager for the Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranch with over a decade of service. A voracious reader and crossword puzzle master, she was always ready to put her vast vocabulary to use in some heated scrabble matches. A complex character and not an ordinary bookworm, she was also the life of the party. Spending hours at the VFW singing Karaoke, Barbara would also burn up the dance floor if you let her.

Her dedication to her family was the only thing that surpassed her passion for reading. She expressed most of her narrative as a loving and caring mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, friend, and surrogate mom to many others. The second child of seven, Barbara followed her parents William and Lorraine Perry along with her sister Susan Puff, and brother Michael Perry into the Divine. Leaving to carry on in her stead are her sisters; Jacqueline McSween, JoAnne Perry, Pauline Hannemann, brother William Perry along with brother in-law James Hannemann and sister in-law Shirley Perry. Though she has moved on, Barbara’s story has not ended. She’s left her seven children, Felicia Rawles, Erika Key- Sharif, Justin Ziacci, Jonathan Key, Jocelyn Nelson, Adrienne Key and Alexander Key along with her sons-in-law Raymond Rawles, Jr, Patrick Nelson, Ibrahim Sharif and daughter in-law Kay Ziacci to carry on her legacy and tell the tale to her seven grandchildren; Akeyla Rawles, Eriq Key, KiJhana Rawles, Kyler Rawles, Raymond J. Rawles III, Luke Nelson, Gabriel Nelson and countless nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Barbara’s Life will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, June 2, 2018 with visitation one hour prior to service in Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home of Mandarin.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of HARDAGE-GIDDENS FUNERAL HOME OF MANDARIN, 11801 San Jose Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32223. www.hgmandarin.com (904) 288-0025.