Velma Laverne Oakley Kelly

VELMA LAVERNE OAKLEY KELLY passed into the arms of her savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, November 19, 2016, in the presence of much of her large extended family. The first child of Jesse and Carrie Cheek Oakley, she was born in Mebane, North Carolina, on December 15, 1926. She graduated from Mebane High School in 1944. She worked at Roses’ dime store in Mebane during her high school years and for several months afterwards before she married Marine veteran Aaron Odell Kelly on December 15, 1945 at the Mebane Methodist Church parsonage. She and her family lived in Alabama and Mississippi for several years before moving back to Mebane permanently in 1961. Velma worked at Peaches and Cream in Mebane for close to 35 years before the plant closed in the late 1990s. She then found an outlet for her deep love of children through working part-time in the day care center at First Baptist Church in Mebane, which she faithfully attended for most of her life. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 32 years, who died on August 27, 1977; an infant sister, Exie Mae; a special brother, Billy Tyson Oakley; an infant son; and great-granddaughter Abigail Stovall. Left to cherish Velma’s memory are her sister, Colleen Payne and her husband Herbert of Mebane; brother Ron Oakley and his wife Kathy of Mebane; son Michael Odell Kelly of Mebane and daughters Brenda Gail Kelly Crutchfield and her husband Jimmy of Graham; Jo Ann Kelly Caulder and her husband Jerry of Burlington; Debbie Sue Kelly Garren and husband Kenny of Fuquay-Varina; eight grandchildren, twenty-four great grandchildren, and four great-great grandchildren. Velma was a kind and gentle woman, loved by all who had the pleasure of knowing her. She will be missed on this earth, but she has already taken her place among God’s angels in heaven. Visitation will be held at the First Baptist Church on 301 South Third Street in Mebane on Saturday, November 26, between 10:00 a.m. and noon, followed by the funeral at 12:00 noon with burial to follow at Oakwood Cemetery on Washington Street. At other times, the family will be at the home of her brother Ron Oakley and his wife Kathy on 226 Beauregard Lane in Mebane. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the SonShine Ministries of the First Baptist Church of Mebane at 301 South Third Street, Mebane North Carolina 27302. McClure Funeral and cremation Service in Mebane are assisting the family. Condolences may be offered at www.mcclurefuneralservice.net