Elwood Kelley Obituary
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Mary Dalton
March 20, 2009
Dear Mrs. Kelley, I just learned of Mr. Kelley's passing. He was a wonderful man and we have many fond memories of him. He was my son, Nickolas' principal at South Anna. One day I received a phone call from Mr. Kelley telling me that Nickolas had been in his office. He told me that Nickolas said he would take his punishment as long as he wasn't stopped from playing soccer. I guess Nick thought that we wouldn't find out and when he came home and was grounded he couldn't figure out how we knew about his visit to Mr. Kelley. Mr. Kelley was wonderful to my son and all through his school career when we would see Mr. Kelley he would make a point of asking about him. Mr. Kelley will be tremendously missed and was always respected and love. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Mary and Gary Dalton
Jenifer Hall
March 20, 2009
Dear Kelley family: I just learned of Mr. Kelley's passing today. I am sorry to have missed his homecoming service. He was a wonderful man and a wonderful principal and I am so lucky to have had him in my life. He was my principal in Elementary School and would see him from time to time thru my middle and high school years. He was and will always be (what I call) absolute pure quality! We all were lucky to have known him at some point in our lives. He gave great advice and wisdom. He will be sorely missed. Thank you Mr. Kelley for wonderful service to our community and giving us your heart. And thank you Kelley family for sharing him with us. Your family will be in my prayers.
Linda Bassett
March 18, 2009
Mrs Kelley...my thoughts and prayers are with you...I never met Mr. Kelley but we spoke on the phone many times about my house on Warren Ave. I feel as tho I did know him...such a nice man with a wonderful voice...God bless
Sherita and Sherika White
March 17, 2009
To the Kelley family,
My thoughts and prayers are with your family during this difficult time. My twin sister and I attended South Anna Elementary with Brooke and have very fond memories of Mr. Kelley. I just heard the news of his passing and am sorry to have missed his homegoing service. (I know he is rejoicing in heaven!)Mr. Kelley was a wonderful man and has helped shaped me into the person I am today. Thank you for sharing him with all of us.
Prayerfully yours,
Sherita White and Sherika White- Jones
How you can show support
Follow
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Lindsey (Hodges) Hegamyer
March 17, 2009
Mr. Kelley will never be forgotten! My brother and I were lucky enough to be with him during our time at South Anna. As we moved through Liberty and Patrick Henry we would see him from time-to-time substituting when the administrators were out.
I remember once when our jazz band went to Ashland to play for a retired teachers banquet. I sat on the front row and right after we started playing he came and stood directly in front of us. As soon as the song was over he walked up to me and said, "Little Lindsey Hodges. It's good to see you. How's your brother? How about your mom and grandparents...how're they doin'?" We hugged and I answered how the family was and all the while I was smiling from ear-to-ear because he remembered me. He didn't just remember my name...he remembered my family, my story, my little-kid antics from elementary school...
I think of Mr. Kelley often and will forever be grateful for the part he played in my life and in my education.
Mr. Kelley, I love you. May God Bless and comfort your family.
Chris Horning
March 16, 2009
I am so very very thankful that my 2 children were blessed by the kindness and incredible love of Mr. Kelley. Kit and Lindsey were students at South Anna Elementary from 1989 until he left in 1995. They have always, and still, speak of him with such love and respect. I could never thank him enough for all he gave of himself to my children and so many others. We are all deeply sorrowed by his passing but will forever hold him in our thoughts, our minds, but mostly in our hearts. God Bless you, his family, and know that our thoughts and prayers are ever with you. Thank you for sharing Mr. Kelley with us.
Janet Searles
March 16, 2009
I am so thankful to have been given the opportunity and priviledge to become acquainted with Elwood Kelley. My first encounter with Mr. Kelley was at John M. Gandy Elementary School in the mid seventies where I worked for several years when he was principal. Even though I had never met Mr. Kelley prior to my employment, he knew my family since he seemed to know most of the people who ever lived in Hanover County! My brother was on the baseball team at Montpelier that Mr. Kelley coached and of which he was so proud. On several occasions, Mr. Kelley told me about one particular game that they won in the last inning and it amazed me everytime he told the story that he remembered each boy's name who played on that team as well as the position he played and the plays of that particular game. He had an astonishing memory and his love for children was reflected in most of those memories he shared with me through the years. It has been my honor to have known Mr. Kelley over the last 25 years as co-workers in a school division that he loved so dearly and to which he was so devoted. I will miss him coming into the School Board office and I will miss running into him at Ukrops. Patti and Brooke - may God be with you and comfort you at this difficult time and may the many wonderful memories you have of your husband and father strengthen and comfort you in the days ahead. God bless.
Lakesha Turner
March 16, 2009
To the Kelley family,
I was one of Mr. Kelley's "kids". He left a lasting impression on anyone that came in contact with him. Even after I went on to Liberty and Patrick Henry every now and again I would hear that stern voice in the hallway and I knew without turning around that Mr. Kelley was monitoring the halls. Mr. Kelley was a special person. His big smile will be missed but he will always be a part of every child that he came in contact with. Be blessed and know that he is ok, and at peace.
Richard, Sharon, Cody and Christian Wiltshire
March 14, 2009
To the Kelley family: Elwood was a community treasure that blessed many of our children with wisdom, honesty, love and encouragement. He touched and enriched the lives of innumerable persons. Elwood had a vibrant spirit that lives on in us all. May your special and blessed memories replace your sadden hearts in days to come. We will truly miss his joyful spirit and incredible smile. Please know that your family is in our thoughts and prayers and we mourn the loss of a great man and friend.
Fran Holt
March 12, 2009
Dear Patty, Brooke, & Family-The best memories of Elwood are through my Dad. Elwood didnt get to Roanoke that often because he had his beloved dogs to attend to, but when he did come, my Dad made a special point to invite him over, and from all the stories Daddy told me, they had a lot of fun. I had the privledge to meet him on a few occasions, and he was such a humble man and was a gentle giant in the eyes of many. Bless all of you whom he loved so dearly. His spirit will live on in the hearts of many.
Katherine Peck
March 12, 2009
My Uncle had a smile which was infectious to those around him. I loved going to visit my Aunt Patty, Uncle Elwood and my Cousin Brooke at their beautiful farm, in Rockville as a child. Elwood's sense of humor is something I will never foreget, he always was very supportive and so loving. I will never foreget at Brooke's high school graduation, parents and teachers comming up to my uncle thanking him. They kept saying "It all started with you Mr. Kelley." That is a moment I will never foreget. To see first hand the gratitude of his neighbors and students parents of my uncle's everlasting kindness and support. I miss you already, Elwood! You truely are a fighter. I love you!
Buddy Snead
March 12, 2009
I will always remember the great friendship we enjoyed growing up together. Rest is peace.
Richard Nuckols
March 12, 2009
Our heart is with you Patty and Brook.
Connie, Junie, Kellie and Shelbie West
March 11, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Patty and Brooke and family. We were so fortunate to have him as a friend. He will surely be missed in Hanover.
Cheryl Nelson
March 11, 2009
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Theresa Goodman
March 10, 2009
Dear Patty, Brooke & Family,
I had the privilege of knowing Elwood not only as a parent but also as a staff member at South Anna. His influence on the lives of my children and I will never be forgotten. We were so fortunate to have the opportunity to share in his love, care and wisdom. He will be greatly missed and never forgotten.
Cindy Miller Calhoon
March 10, 2009
Mr. Kelley will always be the best man I could ever have worked for. He made South Anna feel like home and the people within were family. I have missed his jokes and smile as he chased all of his "rugrats" around. When I moved away, with my husband, the only thing that made it more tolerable was that Mr. Kelley retired the same year. I will never forget him and the support he gave me even after I moved and called him to complain about my new principal. The man just couldn't live up to Mr. Kelley. God bless you Patty and Brook, for sharing him. He was much loved.
Linda Rupert
March 10, 2009
Rest in peace, dear Mr. Kelley. I will miss you coming to the drive thru at Bank of America in Montpelier. Your loving, cheerful face I will always remember. You made my day many times and I prayed for you very hard. I know you are in the Kingdom of God where there is no pain, only glory and eternal love. May God bless your family. I will never forget you. Linda Rupert
Helen Ballard Poore
March 10, 2009
The community of Rockville has lost a legacy. Elwood will be greatly missed. My prayers go out to his family.
SHIRLEY MORRIS
March 10, 2009
Hanover County has lost a great man who knew everybody's name and their families' NAMES, HE WILL BE MISSED.
SHIRLEY MORRIS
March 10, 2009
Hanover County has lost a great man who knew every body's name and their families name. he will be missed. WAYNE & SHIRLEY MORRIS
Alexandra Madden
March 10, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
donna gilley
March 10, 2009
may god bless your family during this time of loss. mr. kelley was my principal at gandy elem. and ms. quinely(at the time) was my second grade teacher at henry clay elem. im sorry for your loss.
Lisa Gibbs
March 10, 2009
Mrs. Kelley, Brooke and family,
We all do appreciate all the time your husband/father spent with the children at South Anna. He knew each by name and was a wonderful role model! Field Day in May 1997, my daughter, President of SCA at time, was allowed to throw a softball to Mr. Kelley who was principal at South Anna - you would have thought she had thrown it to a celebrity! He was so loved by all. He was very popular and the BEST
to everyone he touched. He will be greatly missed, but all the childhood
memories will last forever and his smiling face will be a part of all these
wonderful cherished times growing up
in Hanover County!
Again, thank you for sharing him with so many others. We all loved and admired him, Lisa
Janet Lea Stanley
March 10, 2009
Elwood Kelley was a man who loved children and education. It was an honor to have him as a principal when I was a student and it was an even bigger honor to work with him when I became a teacher. His love of life and laughter were contagious. It was a privilege to know him and hug him whenever I saw him. My prayers are for the family during this time.
Karen Luck Mathews
March 10, 2009
Mr. Kelley was a great man! My sister & I attended Montpelier Elem. in the mid '60s, I remember thinking that he was a giant when I was in the 1st. grade. When I think back, he was a giant of a man...Rest in peace.
Dorothy Green Brooks
March 10, 2009
Mr.Kelley's memories will linger in the hearts of all whose lives he touched. To know him was to love him. I saw him a few months ago and he was in good spirits dealing with his illness so well. I cherish the time we spent together that day in the aisle of Food Lion. God be with you, the family in the days to come.
Showing 1 - 30 of 30 results
Make a Donation
in Elwood Kelley's name
People and places connected with Elwood
How to support Elwood's loved ones
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Elwood Kelley's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
Sponsored