Obituary of Carolyn Kelly

Carolyn Mason Kelly (Mrs. Charles J. Kelly) died 02/17/ o8, after a valiant struggle against lymphoma. Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. 2/26/08, in the auditorium at The Glen on Flournoy Lucas Road, with Reverend Diane Brown of Broadmoor Presbyterian Church officiating. Born March 31, 1921 in Montgomery, AL, Carolyn was raised in Johnson City, TN, Pine Bluff, AR and Enterprise, MS. She graduated from Mississippi State College for Women in 1942 and was immediately employed as a munitions chemist in the war effort by Dupont. Carolyn was married to Lt.Col. Charles J. Kelly USAF ret., and spent years as a military wife, accompanying her husband to make homes in Europe and across the USA. In 1966, she became an ASCP Medical Technologist, specializing in bacteriology and blood-banking, retiring from Overton Brooks V.A. Medical Center in 1983. During her lifetime, she donated gallons of blood to The American Red Cross. She was a devoted mother, grand and great-grandmother, a staunch Presbyterian, a member of DAR, an avid bridge player who also enjoyed sewing and crocheting. She was recognized and honored by the Carnegie Hero Foundation in Sept. 2003 as the oldest person ever to receive the Carnegie Medal for heroic actions of the previous year when she rescued a woman from drowning. She truly was a hero. She lived her faith and reread The Bible yearly to gain greater insight on her existence. She was a stalwart, noble and principled woman and a true lady. Carolyn is preceded in death by her best friend and husband of 62 years, Charles J. Kelly, Sr. (Kelly), her parents, J. W. and Alice B. Mason of Enterprise, MS. Survivors include; son Charles J. (Chuck) Kelly, Jr. and wife Mary, of Huntington Beach, CA; daughters Jo Kelly Edwards and husband Richard of Birmingham, AL, Alice Kelly Moore and husband Dick of Austin, TX; and Caroline Kelly Tait and husband Claude of Shreveport, LA. Also surviving are nine beloved grandchildren; Heidi Emerson, Kathy Stoddard, Sara Kelly, Katherine Strickland, Courtney Toporek, Kelly Edwards, Richard Moore, Bonney Simcik and Jennifer Cruz; and 11 adored great-grandchildren, Kate and Jake Emerson; Kelly and William Stoddard; R. Jackson and William Strickland; Caitlin, Krista and Brenna Simcik and Caroline and Ethan Cruz. Also surviving are her dear sisters Jo (husband Bill) Harrison of Mobile, AL and Alice Elston of Atlanta, GA. The family wishes to express sincerest gratitude to Dr. Robert C. Hernandez, Denita Jones R.N. and Margaret Brown CNA of Hospice of Shreveport-Bossier; Village Health Care at the Glen, especially Rena´ Cass and Marie Sessums for their care. Eternal thanks also to her sitters Rena Jones, Shirley Johnson and Gladys Holtry. In lieu of flowers, contributions or any memorials may be made to Broadmoor Presbyterian Church, Shreveport, La., The Palmer Orphanage in Columbus, MS, The Glen Retirement System of Shreveport, LA. or any other charity of their choice.