Jean Helton Key, formerly of Statesville, N.C., completed her work on this earth at 5:27 a.m. on April 10, 2025, after a brief illness. She was born in Lexington, S.C., on January 21, 1938. She graduated from Lexington High School as Salutatorian in 1956. Her parents were Elbert Hadden Helton and Virginia Eliza Harmon. She married Herbert Jackson Key in 1956 and moved to Statesville shortly thereafter. She worked as a computer programmer for Thomasville Furniture before retiring in 1998. She enjoyed reading, slot machines, playing video games (specifically The Legend of Zelda and Mrs. Pac Man), TV westerns, and spending time with her family.

Along with her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a sister, Sharon Ann; and her beloved rescue pets, Haley, Dee Lee, Mickey, and Mason.

She is survived by her three daughters and her beloved sons-in-law, Vicky Ann Stutts (Bo), Lynn Saintsing (Wayne) and Shannon Benge (Scotti). She is also survived by her six grandchildren and their spouses, Matt Stutts (Candace), Indya Hurt (Steve), Mitch Saintsing (Nickie), Molly Graven (Jake), Hannah Parks (Jared), and Emily Kohl (Ronan); as well as her ten great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Gordon Hospice House, 2341 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625, or any pet rescue charity or animal shelter.

Troutman Funeral Home is honored to serve the Key family.