Basic Information
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Latane Betty Brown Key |
| Known As | Latane Brown; Latane Key |
| Birth Date | November 17, 1951 |
| Death Date | July 10, 2021 |
| Age at Death | 69 |
| Home and Ties | Kannapolis, North Carolina |
| First Marriage | Dale Earnhardt Sr. (1968–1970) |
| Second Marriage | Jackie Lynn Key (until his death in 2007) |
| Children | Kerry Dale Earnhardt (born December 8, 1969); Janene “J.J.” Key |
| Grandchildren | Jeffrey, Bobby Dale, Kayla; step-granddaughter Blade |
| Siblings | Terry Blaine Brown (1948–2018); Melitta Laine Brown Spry; one additional sibling predeceased her |
| Companion (Later Years) | Barry Morris |
| Interests | Gardening; attracting songbirds, hummingbirds, and butterflies; traveling to NASCAR events; “glamping” |
| Notable Moment | Trophy/sponsor girl at the 1979 Southeastern 500 (Bristol) |
| Service and Burial | Service on July 18, 2021, Lady’s Funeral Home Chapel; burial at Carolina Memorial Park |
A Life Anchored in Family
Latane Brown’s story is one of quiet gravity—an ordinary life threaded with extraordinary ties to a racing dynasty. Born on November 17, 1951, she grew up within the familiar rhythms of North Carolina, later centering her world in Kannapolis. At 17, she married a fellow 17-year-old with an audacious dream: Ralph Dale Earnhardt Sr., a rising force destined to become a NASCAR legend. Their marriage, from 1968 to 1970, produced one son, Kerry Dale Earnhardt, and set Latane’s path at the intersection of family and motorsports.
The marriage ended when Kerry was barely a year old. In the years that followed, Latane became the steady hand behind her children’s upbringing. She remarried Jackie Lynn Key, who adopted Kerry, and together they welcomed a daughter, Janene “J.J.” Key. Home became her compass. Whether tending gardens designed to welcome hummingbirds and butterflies or packing for road trips to races by car, train, or boat, Latane chose the richer, slower lanes of life—the ones lined with kinship and small joys.
Threads Through Generations
Family was Latane’s work and her calling. Kerry, born December 8, 1969, eventually reclaimed the Earnhardt name and carved out his own racing career. Through him came grandchildren who continued the line: Jeffrey Earnhardt (born June 22, 1989), a fixture in the NASCAR Xfinity Series; Bobby Dale Earnhardt, who raced part-time in ARCA; and Kayla, who stays largely outside the spotlight. Through Kerry’s marriage to René in 1999, Latane also welcomed a step-granddaughter, Blade, into the family fabric.
Her daughter, Janene “J.J.” Key, represents the quieter branch of the family—an echo of Latane’s preference for privacy. In the end, Latane’s legacy is less about trophies and more about the people gathered at her table: children, grandchildren, “bonus children,” nieces, nephews, and a companion, Barry Morris, who helped care for her beloved dog, Bailey, after her passing.
NASCAR Connections and Legacy
Though she did not chase a public career, Latane remained an occasional face in racing scenes. In 1979 she appeared in victory lane at Bristol Motor Speedway, serving as a trophy or sponsor girl at the Southeastern 500—a snapshot of her indirect connection to the sport’s glamour. Otherwise, her presence in the racing world was subtle yet constant: traveling to events, celebrating milestones, and watching from the grandstands as her son and grandsons took their turns beneath the lights.
The Earnhardt lineage runs like a bright seam through Latane’s timeline. Dale Earnhardt Sr., her first husband, lived—and died—on the high edge of speed, passing in the Daytona 500 on February 18, 2001. The loss reshaped the family’s mythology but not its core. Latane’s role remained consistent: support, stability, and grace behind the scenes.
After the Checkered Flag: Later Years and Remembrance
Jackie Key’s death in 2007 marked a sober turn. Latane pressed forward, keeping company with Barry Morris and delighting in Bailey’s companionship. Her gardens became sanctuaries of color and movement—wings and petals in motion—and her travels often led to familiar tracks and family gatherings.
Latane died on July 10, 2021, at age 69. Her service was held on July 18 at Lady’s Funeral Home Chapel in Kannapolis, with burial at Carolina Memorial Park. Those who knew her remember the warm smile, the playful giggle, and a fondness for purple. She was not a figure of wealth or headlines, but of presence—steady, kind, and attentive.
Timeline of Key Moments
| Date | Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| November 17, 1951 | Birth | Born in North Carolina; future ties to Kannapolis. |
| 1968 | Marriage | Married Dale Earnhardt Sr. at age 17. |
| December 8, 1969 | Birth of Son | Kerry Dale Earnhardt born in Kannapolis, NC. |
| 1970 | Divorce | Marriage to Dale Sr. ends; Latane raises Kerry. |
| Early 1970s | Remarriage | Married Jackie Lynn Key; Jackie adopts Kerry. |
| 1979 | NASCAR Appearance | Trophy/sponsor girl at the Southeastern 500 (Bristol). |
| June 22, 1989 | Grandson Born | Jeffrey Earnhardt, future NASCAR driver. |
| 1990s | Family Expands | Bobby Dale and Kayla born across the decade. |
| February 18, 2001 | Tragedy | Dale Earnhardt Sr. dies at Daytona 500. |
| 2007 | Loss | Jackie Lynn Key passes away. |
| July 10, 2021 | Passing | Latane dies at 69. |
| July 18, 2021 | Service & Burial | Lady’s Funeral Home Chapel; Carolina Memorial Park. |
| 2025 | Posthumous Mentions | Referenced in stories about Kerry’s racing and local land disputes. |
Family at a Glance
| Relation | Name | Lifespan | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Husband | Dale Earnhardt Sr. | 1951–2001 | NASCAR legend; married 1968–1970. |
| Second Husband | Jackie Lynn Key | 1950–2007 | Adopted Kerry; father to Janene “J.J.” Key. |
| Son | Kerry Dale Earnhardt | 1969– | Racer; married René (1999). |
| Daughter | Janene “J.J.” Key | — | Private life; resides in North Carolina. |
| Grandson | Jeffrey Earnhardt | 1989– | NASCAR Xfinity Series driver. |
| Grandson | Bobby Dale Earnhardt | — | Part-time ARCA racer. |
| Granddaughter | Kayla Earnhardt | — | Lives largely outside public racing. |
| Step-Granddaughter | Blade | — | René’s daughter from previous marriage. |
| Sibling | Terry Blaine Brown | 1948–2018 | Predeceased Latane. |
| Sibling | Melitta Laine Brown Spry | — | Sister; limited public details. |
| Sibling | Unnamed | — | Predeceased Latane; details not public. |
| Companion | Barry Morris | — | Later-years partner; cared for Bailey. |
| Pet | Bailey | — | Beloved dog; went to Barry after 2021. |
A Private Path, Public Echoes
Latane’s name surfaces today in family-centered NASCAR stories—tales of Kerry’s return to driving after a long hiatus or local debates tied to Earnhardt properties and community development. She herself left no social media footprint and no ledger of public accolades. Instead, her legacy is measured in the resilient arcs of the people she nurtured, the steady love that held them, and the quiet dignity of a life lived away from center stage.
FAQ
Who was Latane Brown?
She was the first wife of Dale Earnhardt Sr., later known as Latane Betty Brown Key, and a devoted mother who kept a low public profile.
When did she marry Dale Earnhardt Sr.?
She married him in 1968 when both were 17, and they divorced in 1970.
Did she pursue a public career?
No, her life appears centered around family, with no documented public career.
Who are her children?
She had two children: Kerry Dale Earnhardt and Janene “J.J.” Key.
Did she ever appear at NASCAR races?
Yes, notably at the 1979 Southeastern 500 in Bristol as a trophy or sponsor girl.
When did she pass away?
She died on July 10, 2021, at the age of 69.
Where is she buried?
She was buried at Carolina Memorial Park after a service at Lady’s Funeral Home Chapel.
Was she active on social media?
No, she left no active personal accounts and lived privately.
How is she connected to modern NASCAR stories?
She’s referenced through her son Kerry’s racing activities and family-related community issues.
