• 36°
Hartselle Enquirer
Hartselle students showed their support for Kiah and Kohl Key and their family following the loss of their uncle, Randy Jones. Enquirer photo by Jim Meadows

Students support the Key family in time of grief

Randy Jones and Tamisha Jones Key

Hartselle has always held a special place in the heart of the Key family since they arrived here in 2014. But it grew more special when their hearts were broken in grief after the passing of their brother and uncle Randy Jones.  

Jones, the brother of coach Faron Key’s wife Tamisha, lost his four-year-long battle with cancer Nov. 27 at age 54. He was a basketball coach and teacher at West Point High School for more than 30 years. 

 He brought his Warriors basketball team to Hartselle on January 30, 2020, to face off with his brother-in-law’s Tigers team. Hartselle prevailed that night 85-54 and gave coach Key his 100th victory as the Tigers’ head coach. But the game took second billing to the Key family as Hartselle honored coach Jones and offered support in his cancer battle. 

 Fast-forward to Dec. 2, less than three years later, it was the students at Hartselle High School showing support for the Key family. This time it was to honor their family member who recently passed away and to show support for a hurting classmate and family. 

 Before the girls’ game started with Springville, a group of students entered the student section behind the Hartselle bench with their chests painted blue with white letters spelled out #JONESSTRONG.  

 #JONESTRONG was the rallying cry for the Jones and Key families during Randy’s cancer battle. 

 On Friday night, it was the students rallying cry for their hurting classmate and family. 

 “It means a lot to know that the whole school rallied together for our family,” Kiah Key said. 

 Key, who was close to his uncle, wanted to honor him by wearing blue socks during the Springville game. His teammates and the cheerleaders, who wore blue ribbons in their hair, joined him. 

 The Tigers picked up a win they had to fight for and come from behind that night, which meant a lot to the Key family. 

 “To get the win was important to me as we honored my uncle,” Kiah Key said. “The support and love that my friends and classmates showed helped lift us when we needed it most.” 

 Kohl Key struggled at the funeral but said he heard some comforting words about his uncle that lifted his spirits. 

 “Randy was called home early,” Kohl Key said. “My uncle’s time on earth was finished, and he is now in a better place.” 

 The Tigers’ win gave coach Coach Faron Key his 150th at Hartselle. He celebrated his 100th win with his brother-in-law and dedicated his 150th win to Randy’s memory. 

 “I am very proud of my brother-in-law for the legacy he created for himself,” Coach Faron Key said. “It was cool what the student section did to respect and honor someone they didn’t know to support our family in the loss of a brother, a brother-in-law and an uncle.” 

 It is moments like these that show how Hartselle comes together as a community. 

 “What those kids did and why they did it is why we love Hartselle,” he said. 

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Cerrowire expansion named finalist in Business Alabama Awards  

At a Glance

Work begins on repairing two bridges over I-65 in Morgan County in coming weeks

At a Glance

Tickets for Morgan County Sports Hall of Fame banquet available

Falkville

Morgan County volunteers celebrated at annual fire department banquet 

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Man jailed for stealing car from jail after earlier release 

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Police: Hartselle man encouraged children to have sex inside his apartment

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Hartselle High Medical Academy students practice on new EKG simulator  

Falkville

Falkville man arrested on murder, drug charges  

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Four Morgan roads getting reduced speed limits 

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Hartselle native serves with U.S. Navy

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Hartselle police: Husband beats wife after finding male contacts in her phone 

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Season passes now available for Hartselle Aquatic Center

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Morgan County Spring Clean-Up 2024 kicks off next month

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Morgan County High School Class of 1974 set to reunite after 50 years

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

ALEA’s 2024 Spring Boating Basics and License courses underway 

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Hands on the wheel: Alabama law focuses on distracted driving

At a Glance

Woman killed in interstate crash in Falkville

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Stisher, Frost in runoff for Morgan District 3 commissioner, Abercrombie reelected

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Halbrooks defeats Dobbs in Morgan County school board race 

Hartselle

Crafting dreams: A woodworker’s journey from hobby to artistry 

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Stisher, Frost in runoff; Abercrombie wins seat in Morgan commission races

At a Glance

Incumbent Dobbs loses to Halbrooks in race for Morgan BOE seat

At a Glance

Sheriff’s Academy open for registration  

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Hartselle woman models at New York Fashion Week 

x