Mrs. Eleanor Kelly

January 29, 1932 - December 10, 2020

Public Viewing for Mrs. Eleanor Kelly will be Monday, December 21, 2020 from 9:00 A.M. till 10:00 A.M. at Good Aim Baptist Church, 1308 Cherokee Blvd, Elgin, SC 29045. Funeral Services will be held on Monday, December 21, 2020 at 10:00 A.M. at Good Aim Baptist Church, 1308 Cherokee Blvd, Elgin, SC 29045. Interment will follow at Fort Jackson National Cemetery, 4170 Percival Road, Columbia, SC 29229. Please click the link below to view services for Mrs. Eleanor Kelly https://www.facebook.com/A-A-Dicks-Funeral-Home-Sullivan-Chapel-115729839828313/ Please click the link below to view program and obituary for Mrs. Eleanor Kelly https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:1a89d7d7-5da2-4fa0-9e00-534b362856cb As a January baby, Eleanor “Nora” Kelly, as she was affectionately known and called, was born on January 29, 1932. She was the third daughter and one of eight children born to Elijah and Alice Kelly, in what was known as Blaney, S. C., now called Elgin, S. C. Eleanor was always a woman of uncommon dignity and grace and as such, she insisted that her children simply call her “Mother.” Her parents, Elijah and Alice Simons Kelly, were lifelong members of the Good Aim Baptist Church, and Eleanor, along with her siblings, spent most of her free time in church. As expected, she developed a deep and strong relationship with Christ at an early age, which would help her live the rest of her life to the fullest. In 1954, her father, Elijah, Sr., built a new family home on Langford Road in Blythewood, S.C., and moved his expanding family of six daughters and one son into this new brick home. Eleanor and her siblings grew up having inherited a rich legacy of faith, family, character, integrity, and leadership. Education was especially important to her parents, and she and her siblings were expected to excel without exception. As a young girl, Eleanor attended the former segregated Bethel School and excelled as an “A” scholarly student. At the age of 16, she joined her older sisters in Washington, D.C., where she completed her education. She later moved to New York City, where she resided for 10 years before returning to Washington, D.C. to be closer to her siblings. It was in D.C., that Eleanor gave her life to the Lord under the Morris Cerullo World Evangelism Ministry. She later became a member of Evangel Temple in D.C., where she was a member for many years. Eleanor and members of her family later joined Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church, also in D.C., as Bishop Alfred Owens, Jr., launched his initial ministry where she was a dedicated member. A quiet, pensive, introspective, and delicate woman with a spirit of selflessness, Eleanor was never one to shout about her own achievements, yet she was able to accomplish a lot during the time God gave her. Shortly after settling in Washington, D. C., she became a music librarian at the former WTOP Radio, as they transitioned to an all-music format during the early ‘60s. The station was originally started and owned by a KKK Grand Wizard in Virginia, but quickly became the leading radio station in the DC metropolitan area. It was there that Eleanor, the first African American Music Librarian for the station was instrumental in ensuring that the WTOP DJs personally sampled the latest music releases from a variety of selected black and white artists. The music of these artists was played and transmitted to audiences during broadcasting by the radio personalities which provided entertainment and helped shape the lives of Washingtonians during their daily commute to and from work, and even at home. In this capacity, Eleanor was the support arm for many of the old R&B legends such as James Brown, Marvin Gay, Percy Sledge, Wilson Pickett, Red Fox, Moms Mabley, Little Richard, Clarence Carter, Irma Thomas, Chuck Berry, Big Joe Turner, Johnnie Lee Hooker, Sam Cook, the Temptations, the Four Tops, the Supremes…and even Jerry Lee Lewis – as their music helped shape what we know as soul and rock and roll. Eleanor managed and had access to their appearances at various venues, interviews, public appearances, and concerts at the famous Howard Theater. This included coveted backstage passes and invitations to receptions and dinners. Her love of music during this time was fueled by the unusually large assortment of LP records she collected over the years which includes spirituals, gospel, jazz, and the blues. Seeking a different employment experience and an advanced opportunity, Eleanor was subsequently employed with the Federal government for 19 years, including the U. S. Marshals Service, the Treasury Department, the National Science Foundation, the HQ Air Force Systems Command, the Agriculture Department, and Vanderburg AFB in Santa Barbara, California. However, it was at the Treasury Department that she met the love of her life, her Prince Charming, Moses Kelly, who often referred to her as “Puddin’ Foot.” She and Moses eventually relocated to Santa Barbara, California during former President Ronald Reagan’s term of office, where Moses was assigned to duty at the Western White House. Upon returning to the D.C. metropolitan area, she and Moses began to plan their retirement and decided that after long careers for both, they would relocate to Blythewood, South Carolina, the home of Eleanor’s youth. Once in South Carolina, she and Moses began building their retirement home while Moses completed his last few years of work in Washington, D. C., before retiring from the U. S. Secret Service. During this time, Eleanor immediately reconnected with the church of her youth, formerly, The Good Aim Baptist Church, and became active in numerous church activities. Never one to stand on the sidelines, she served as a pillar of strength and a faithful member of the church where she joined the former Missionary Society (currently called the Sisterhood Ministry). In addition, she provided wise counsel to many members who sought her out for advice on everything from personal relationships to career planning. She became the Historian of the church and diligently worked on completing the first written history of the Good Aim Missionary Baptist Church. Eleanor also served for several years as the Adult Sunday School teacher. During this time, she also became engaged in numerous community activities including volunteering at the McKissick Museum on the campus of the University of South Carolina, taking classes in a variety of subjects at the University of South Carolina, and using her artistic talents in creating beautiful pottery, knitting, jewelry making, sewing beautiful quilts and pillows which she gave as gifts, and collecting art. She volunteered for numerous events so not surprisingly, her face was a familiar one at the United Way, Jerry Lewis telethons, NAACP events, the Kroger Theater, and the Columbia Christian Women’s Association. In addition, she was a member of The Society, Inc., an organization supportive of the arts in the Columbia area. In 1990, her husband retired from the Federal government, and joined her in South Carolina as they both looked forward to fully enjoying their retirement years. Many of her retirement dreams were cut short however, when her father passed after arriving in Washington, D. C., for her husband’s retirement celebration. With great faith and the resolve of the biblical Esther, she and Moses took on the responsibility as Caregivers to her mother, Alice Kelly, for 21 years, until her death in 2008. Through it all, Eleanor continued to live her life with purpose, never complaining about this unforeseen path that God had destined. “I have made it with all the pockets I have to draw on when there is no one but me to depend on. God puts some sunshine, sweet thoughts and smiles upon my heart, strength that I did not know that I had, and unspeakable joy. Then the burden gets lighter and another day has passed, and all becomes well.” Nora, 2006 Throughout the years, Eleanor received many awards for her kind heart and gentle spirit from her church and faith community as well as from organizations to whom she volunteered her time. Equally, she was honored for her charitable work and financial contributions throughout the Columbia area. Organizations for which she volunteered included the United Way and the McKissick Museum. She was also recognized by the Midlands Alzheimer’s Association for her untiring work as a Caregiver, and as a seminar speaker on the subject in the Columbia Midlands area. In addition to her caregiving duties and responsibilities, Eleanor diligently served as an Administrator for the former Deacon Elijah Kelly, Sr., Memorial Scholarship Fund for 25 years, which was established in honor of her late father. This program provided educational scholarships to students of the Good Aim Missionary Baptist Church to assist them in completing their college education. Eleanor is preceded in death by her husband, Moses B. Kelly, whom she affectionately called “MB.” She leaves her legacy of love to her children, Doris E. Coleman, Blythewood, S. C. and Bruce W. Branch, Oxon Hill, Md; five beautiful grandchildren: Robert (Carmeil), Bethani, Kelly, Nathaniel, and Maya; 3 great-grandchildren, Kala, Kai, and Kaya; three loving and devoted sisters, Mrs. Alberta Colbert, Stone Mountain, GA; Mrs. Melva Brinkley (James), Washington, D.C.; Dr. Grace Coffey (William, deceased), Ellicott City, MD; and one brother, Elijah Kelly, Sr. (Joan), Silver Spring, MD, and a host of loving nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and extended loving family members. She is also preceded in death by her parents, Elijah and Alice Kelly, Sr., her sisters, Mrs. Allie Brewton, Dr. Mae Wright, and Dr. Florine Jones. Eleanor will forever be remembered and known by her formal and elegant, yet unarming dignity, whose grace and beauty defined her. She was, without question, a woman of character, personality, intelligence, and beauty – an inspirational woman because of her resolve during some of life’s difficulties. Her sisters and brother called her an “Angel.” Her friends simply call her “wonderful.” Her children will tell you that her tiara is the thorny crown that is reserved for those who have suffered hardships, endured storms, survived predicaments and life’s valley experience. Her sail, like those of us who have had a real adventure, has become the rose that brightens the life of us all. Her thorny path may usher tears to stream down our face, but her resiliency motivates all of us to rise from the ashes of mediocrity and fulfill our dreams and God’s destiny for our lives. "There is a within each of us a potential for goodness, beyond our imagination, for giving without seeking rewards, for listening without judging, for loving unconditionally. That potential is our goal. We can approach it in large and small ways every minute of the day, if we only try.” Nora Eleanor was a woman of extraordinary grace and dignity sent to us by God for such a time as this. Rest in peace our dear Eleanor, our loving mother, our sweet sister, our wonderful friend, for God has called your name and you have finally received your regal crown! Please leave the Kelly family your condolences and prayers. The Kelly family, acknowledges with grateful appreciation, all of your kind expressions of love and sympathy. Thank you for helping us care for our families. A. A. Dicks, Sr. and Staff. Like our Facebook page: A. A. Dicks Funeral Home - Sullivan Chapel Add our Facebook Friend page and leave a comment: A A Dicks FH