Obituary for Doris Kelly
Doris Bruce Kelly was born to the union of Earl Bledsoe Bruce and Rosetta Dobbs. She lived her entire life in the St, Elmo Community. Doris was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church of East Eighth Street where she served as vice chairman of the trustee board for many years.
Doris was educated in the Chattanooga Public Schools, graduating from Howard High School. She attended Tennessee A & I State University where she received BS and MS degrees. Doris did postgraduate studies at the University of TN at Knoxville, the University of North Dakota, Middle TN State University, and Northwestern University. While at Tennessee State, Doris joined Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She celebrated her 75th anniversary with the sorority in 2013.
Doris, a lifelong educator, served on the staff of Howard High School for many years before taking an assignment as Uniserve Representative for the Tennessee Education Association. She held life membership with the National Education Association and was a past president of the Chattanooga Education Association. In her role as educator, she received many accolades and awards for her service. She continued to serve in the Retired Teachers Association for many years after her retirement. In addition, Doris served on the board of directors of the Chattanooga Bicentennial Library.
Doris was married to William Taylor Kelly who preceded her in death. While there were no children born to this union, they were involved in the lives of many young people, four of whom Doris claimed as her own., Vance Kelley, brother-in-law , preceded her in death; cousin, Judy Jackson; goddaughter, Deborrah Bradley Carter; and godson, Mack (Tekelia) Kelly, who survive her , along with numerous other friends and family.
Doris lived a life of servitude, giving of her talents and resources to others freely. Her words to live by were “If I can Help Somebody”, which she did.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks monetary contributions to be made to the Ivy Rose Foundation’s scholarship fund, in memory of Doris Bruce Kelly. Remit funds to Ivy Rose Foundation, Inc, PO Box 81053, Chattanooga, TN 37414.
A public viewing will be held 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm Wednesday, April 28, 2021, at the funeral home. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am Thursday, April 29, 2021, in the chapel of John P. Franklin Funeral Home. Interment: Chattanooga National Cemetery.
Arrangements by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Avenue, 423-622-9995.
Doris was educated in the Chattanooga Public Schools, graduating from Howard High School. She attended Tennessee A & I State University where she received BS and MS degrees. Doris did postgraduate studies at the University of TN at Knoxville, the University of North Dakota, Middle TN State University, and Northwestern University. While at Tennessee State, Doris joined Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She celebrated her 75th anniversary with the sorority in 2013.
Doris, a lifelong educator, served on the staff of Howard High School for many years before taking an assignment as Uniserve Representative for the Tennessee Education Association. She held life membership with the National Education Association and was a past president of the Chattanooga Education Association. In her role as educator, she received many accolades and awards for her service. She continued to serve in the Retired Teachers Association for many years after her retirement. In addition, Doris served on the board of directors of the Chattanooga Bicentennial Library.
Doris was married to William Taylor Kelly who preceded her in death. While there were no children born to this union, they were involved in the lives of many young people, four of whom Doris claimed as her own., Vance Kelley, brother-in-law , preceded her in death; cousin, Judy Jackson; goddaughter, Deborrah Bradley Carter; and godson, Mack (Tekelia) Kelly, who survive her , along with numerous other friends and family.
Doris lived a life of servitude, giving of her talents and resources to others freely. Her words to live by were “If I can Help Somebody”, which she did.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks monetary contributions to be made to the Ivy Rose Foundation’s scholarship fund, in memory of Doris Bruce Kelly. Remit funds to Ivy Rose Foundation, Inc, PO Box 81053, Chattanooga, TN 37414.
A public viewing will be held 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm Wednesday, April 28, 2021, at the funeral home. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am Thursday, April 29, 2021, in the chapel of John P. Franklin Funeral Home. Interment: Chattanooga National Cemetery.
Arrangements by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Avenue, 423-622-9995.