Ms. JoeElla Kelly

JoeElla Kelly was born in Battle Creek, MI on February 23, 1925 to the late George W. King and JoeElla Rice. JoeElla was one of three children but grew up as an only child due to the passing of her two siblings at an early age. JoeElla completed the 10th grade and stop going to school during World War II to help the family after the passing of her father. Two of JoeElla’s passions were going to the movies and dancing. During her era the dance was the jitterbug. She often spoke about the good old days when she would go to the USO and the guys would throw girls over their shoulder doing the jitterbug. She enjoyed watching them but there was no throwing her around. She would jitterbug with her two feet on the floor and danced the night away. In her early twenties she met her children’s father Watson C. Kelly. He would watch her go past the corner bar from work day after day. He admired her for the beautiful, strong, hard working women she was. At the age of 22 she married Watson C. Kelly. At the age of 30 JoeElla had her first child, Jeffrey Guy Kelly. At 34 she had her second child, Dianna Denise Kelly and at 35 she had her third child, Genola LaMar Kelly. JoeElla and her husband made a good life for their family on Roosevelt Street in Battle Creek, MI. After the passing of her husband in 1973 she and her children moved to their dream house on Washington Rd. She worked hard and raised three teenagers and continue to give them a good life. JoeElla worked at the United Steel & Wire for 40 years until her retirement. After the passing of her son in 1995 she moved to Atlanta, GA with her daughter Dianna. She lived with Dianna for a few years and then moved with her youngest daughter Genola where she was living before she became ill. JoeElla had a kind and loving spirit which made it a joy and pleasure to be around her. She knew where her blessings came from and was no stranger to the Lord. For many years she was a member of Second Missionary Baptist Church in Battle Creek,MI. After moving to Atlanta, GA she transfer her membership to Antioch A.M.E Curch in Stone Mountain, GA where she attended until she was no longer able to drive. Up until her last days she would attended church in her den watching Jimmy Swaggart. JoeElla was preceded in death by her husband of 26 years, Watson C. Kelly and her son, Jeffrey Guy Kelly. She leaves behind to cherish her memories two wonderful daughters, Dianna Denise Kelly and Genola LaMar Kelly (Atlanta, GA), dearest cousins Helen Prather and Ann Williams and a host of other relatives and close friends who have all been impacted by her remarkable life. Funeral Saturday, July 8, 2017, 11am in our chapel. Burial at Melwood Cemetery. Visitation Friday 10am-8pm with family hour from 6pm-8pm. Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Home, 4347 Flat Shoals Pkwy, Decatur, GA., 30034. 404-241-5656

Tributes

Ms. JoeElla Kelly

February 23, 1925 - June 28, 2017