Highlighting Gequetta Murray-Key’s Life
Gequetta Murray-Key was an active member of the community. She was a Fluvanna County school board member, the president of the Fluvanna PTO, and the lead singer in a local band called Salt. But at PVCC, Murray Key was known for being the adjunct instructor of Criminal Justice.
After Murray-Key died on Tuesday, Oct. 18, PVCC students and staff felt her loss. Though she lost her battle with Leukemia, members of the community and schools she was involved with are planning to keep her memory alive. On Oct. 28, the Fluvanna County Public School system announced the Gequetta “G” Murray-Key Memorial scholarship in her honor. Then, on Oct. 29, family and friends gathered to celebrate her life. And on Oct. 30, Fluvanna County High School hosted her public memorial.
David Lerman, director of student success and retention, worked with Murray-Key through the entirety of her career at PVCC, both as an adjunct professor and a student. Lerman said, “Gequetta was a student here at PVCC in 2001 and 2002… She worked with me because I was running a few small federal and state funded grant programs that helped students both with education and the resources to help them continue. We were able to help with childcare at that time, for instance. And because of that, I have kept a small picture of her oldest daughter on the filing cabinet that faces my desk as a reminder of why this work is important.”
Although Lerman knew Murray-Key during her time as a student and an adjunct professor, she began working for Assistant Professor of Police Science/Administration of Justice Trisha Kipps more recently. Kipps said, “Gequetta worked for me as an adjunct professor since I joined PVCC in January of 2020. She was hired by Brian Flick, the former Program Coordinator for Police Science. She was also his former student where she received her associate in Applied Science degree here at PVCC. After attaining her Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice, he hired her to teach criminal justice courses here.”
Both Lerman and Kipps recognized Murray-Key’s passion for her students. Kipps said, “She always went well above and beyond to support her students in all of the courses she taught here at PVCC.”
Lerman similarly said, “She was a tireless advocate for her students and was extremely encouraging of them as they attempted to balance school, work, and personal lives.”
Overall, the death of Murray-Key has impacted friends, family, students, teachers, and community members alike. It will also have an impact on future students who will not get to experience having her as a teacher. For those wishing to send condolences, they can be sent to 17 Ashton Road, Palmyra, VA 22963.
