Irene C. Kelley

Irene Cobb Kelley, 94, of Florence, passed away Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009, at Mitchell-Hollingsworth Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

She was a special lady who was loved by everyone she met. She was a strong help mate for her husband during hard times and a loving wife and mother at all times. Her children and grandchildren were her pride and joy. She kept pictures of all her family and was quick to defend and protect them. She was a great inspiration to all who knew her and a wonderful Christian example. She was a longtime member of Jackson Heights Church of Christ and reared her children to be good Christians and to respect everyone they met. She was an avid gardener and loved planting and tending her vegetable and flower gardens. She loved nursing and was a good teacher in her workplace after her husband passed away, teaching many young women at Mitchell-Hollingsworth to be great nurses. She led by example by giving impeccable care to all who came her way. She will be missed by all.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009, at Greenview Funeral Home, with the funeral services following at 1 p.m. in Greenview Memorial Chapel. Officiating will be Brian Jarrett. Burial will be in New Hope Church of Christ Cemetery.

Mrs. Kelley was preceded in death by her husband, James Ottis Kelley; daughter, Christine Kelley Sutherland; son, James Walden Kelley; brothers, Harvey and Audrey Cobb; sisters, Vertie Cobb Williams, Bessie Cobb Joiner and Pauline Cobb Marbet.

She is survived by her daughters, Lorene Lovelace, Shirley Williams (Alfred), Becky Jeffreys (Larry); sons, Aubrey Richard Kelley Sr. (Geneva), Kenneth Kelley (Elaine); grandchildren, Sarah Lovelace Rickard, Florence, Hollis Lovelace, Florence, Richard Kelley Jr., Florence, Nancy Kelley Clark, Marietta, Ga., Donna Kelley Gillen, Marietta, Ga., Jane Kelley Tallman, Lewisburg, W.Va., Butch Sutherland, Cartersville, Ga., Pam Sutherland Smith, Florence, Dereece Sutherland Kirkland, Florence, Keith Sutherland, Southaven, Miss., Michele Williams Robinson, Florence, Cris Williams, Louisville, Ky., Diann Kelley, Baton Rouge, La., Cindy Kelley, Decatur, Ga., Kelly Jeffreys McDonald, Birmingham, Ala., Chase Jeffreys, Florence; 29 great-grandchildren; and 11 great-great-grandchildren.

Active pallbearers will be Chase Jeffreys, Keith Sutherland, Butch Sutherland, Hollis Lovelace, Cris Williams, Chad Robinson and Richard Kelley III.

Honorary pallbearers will be elders at Jackson Heights Church of Christ and her great-grandsons.

The family wishes to thank the nurses and staff at Mitchell-Hollingsworth and Dr. Danny McFall.

Arrangements by Greenview Funeral Home.