Clifton B. "Kip" Key, 84, of Riceville, died Thursday, July 22, 2010, at his home.

A native of McMinn County, and a resident of Riceville for most of his life, he was a former resident of Macon, Ga. A son of the late John Russell and Annie Burke Key, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Mildred Trotter Key; two grandchildren, Michelle Gregory and Rex Gregory Jr.; a special daughter-in-law, Laverne Smith Key; two brothers, Arlie Key and Donald Key; and four sisters, Evelyn Morrow, Elizabeth Myers, Helen Smith and Katherine Hacker. A member of Sanford Baptist Church, he was a self-employed contractor and carpenter and loved to farm and garden. He formerly worked for Tennessee Valley Authority, and was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army, Company A, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division.

Survivors include his wife, Ruby Ward Key of Riceville, to whom he would have been married 12 years in September; one daughter, Diane Woods of Athens; three sons and two daughters-in-law, Wayne Key of Birmingham, Ala., Michael "Mike" and Diana Key of Riceville, and Billy and Julia Key of Athens; three brothers and sisters-in-law, J.R. and Marie Key of Athens, Bill Key of Riceville, and Charles Key of Athens; one stepdaughter, Shirley Ward Massey of Athens; one stepson and his wife, Bill and Pat Ward of Douglasville, Ga.; 11 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; special friends, Loren and Wilma Jones of Macon, Ga.; five step-grandchildren; six step-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Sunday in the chapel of Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home with the Rev. Don Patterson officiating. Burial will follow in McMinn Memory Gardens.

Active pallbearers will be grandsons and great-grandsons.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.