She was born June 16, 1946 in Luling, TX to the late Cecil Eugene Hunter and Verna Mae (Braeuer) Hunter.
She grew up outside Luling and graduated high school in Kermit, Texas in 1964. Carol Hunter married Ronald Dean Key on June 21, 1969 at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Odessa and they lived their entire married life in Odessa. She enjoyed baking, family barbecues, West Texas Thunderstorms, and sitting outside taking in the day. Carol loved music. She played the organ at church starting in high school. She was an active member of Redeemer Lutheran Church throughout most of her life, playing the organ, working on a cooking team, singing in the choir, playing handbells, and was active in the Ladies’ Missionary League. She loved her Texas Longhorns and watching college football.
She worked as a Registered Nurse until the birth of their 3rd son and then became a full-time homemaker. Carol loved being “Nana” to her granddaughter, McKenna. She found joy in helping and encouraging others despite numerous health complications throughout the last 30 years of her life.
Carol is survived by her sons, Shane Key of Lubbock, Brent Key and wife Julie (Edes) Key of Odessa, and Joshua Key of Joliet, IL; one sister Betty (Hunter) Wilkinson and husband Vernon J Wilkinson, and one brother Jack Lynn Hunter and wife Terri (Aycock) Hunter, one granddaughter, McKenna Lynn Key, 2 step grandchildren, Cassidy and Andrew, and 2 nieces, Dana (Wilkinson) McDonald and husband Jeremy McDonald, and Gina (Wilkinson) Christian and husband Jim Christian.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Cecil and Verna Mae Hunter, her husband, Ronald Dean Key, and daughter-in-law, Nancy Key.
A public visitation for Carol will be held Friday, September 15, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home, 601 N Alleghaney Ave, Odessa, Texas 79761. A memorial service will occur Saturday, September 16, 2023 at 10:00 AM at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 824 E 18th Street, Odessa, Texas 79761. A burial will occur Saturday, September 16, 2023 at 2:00 PM at Sunset Memorial Gardens, 6801 E I-20 Business Loop, Odessa, Texas 79762.
Honorary pallbearers are Stefan Cadra, Danny Cadra, Kirsten Cadra White, Yvonne Cadra, Debbie Unger, Tim Hewitt, Saul Deras, Marvin Wilkins and Pastor Terry Meyer.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hubbardkellyfuneralhome.com for the Key family.
