Barbara Ann Bost Key, a cherished mother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully of natural causes on March 3, 2025, in Statesville, N.C. Born on March 13, 1937, in the gentle embrace of Iredell County, N.C., she was just shy of her 88th birthday.

Barbara’s life was marked by simplicity and warmth, much like the serene North Carolina landscape that shaped her early years. Her journey through life was infused with a love for music, especially when listening to “Long Black Train” by Josh Turner and “Islands In the Stream” by Kenny Rogers, which brought her immense joy and comfort.

Professionally, Barbara found fulfillment working as a Canteen Hostess, where her warm smile and kind demeanor brightened the days of many. Beyond her work, she was a devoted member of Berea Baptist Church, where she nurtured her faith and cherished her community.

Preceded in death by her father, Robert Fulton Bost; her mother, Louise Kessler Bost; and her siblings, Betty Norman, Gary Lee Martin, and Tiffany Dense Martin, Barbara now joins them in eternal peace.

She leaves behind a legacy of love and family, celebrated by her surviving children, Robert Martin of Union Grove, and Jimmy Darrell Martin, Ronald Ray Martin, Donnie Leon Martin, and Mary Louise Martin, all of Statesville. She is also remembered by her step-sons, Daniel Key and Johnny Key, and her brother, Robert Sonny Bost of Statesville. Her presence will be dearly missed by her numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and all who were fortunate enough to have known her.

Graveside services to honor Barbara’s life will be held at Berea Baptist Church Cemetery, located at 1015 River Highway, Mooresville, NC 28117, on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at 2 p.m. Family, friends, and all whose lives she touched are invited to celebrate her life and the gentle strength she displayed throughout her years.

In her passing, we remember Barbara Ann Bost Key not only for the years she lived but for the love she shared and the memories she leaves behind. Her life was an inspiration, a testament to the quiet yet profound impact of kindness and compassion. May she rest in peace, embraced by the love she so generously gave.

Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family.