Mrs. Velma Thyressa Kelley

Mrs. Velma Thyressa (Lippard) Kelley, born on January 8, 1927 in Statesville, North Carolina, to the late Estelle Vinnie Robbins Lippard and the late John Hobbs Lippard, passed away at age 92 on February 13, 2019 in Beaufort, South Carolina. She attended Statesville High School, and served in the Food Service Industry at Maas Brothers, Sarasota, Florida, until retiring in 1977. Velma was married to the late Autie Fitzhugh Kelley Jr. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Kenneth Hilton Lippard (Elsie Mae); Jack Haskell Lippard (Bonnie Marie); and Everette Gene Lippard; sisters, Helen Louise Lippard Sherrill (Clyde Thomas); Martha Fedelia Lippard Williams (Clyde Marcus), Betty Fay Lippard Holdsclaw; and Jo Ann Lippard Downer (James Winford); friends, Dewey and Hazel Mahoney and Rosco and Mary Twombly. Velma is survived by her sons, Autie Fitzhugh Kelley III (friend, Karen Kelley) of Sun City Center, Florida; Michael Lane Kelley (friend, Walter Bauma) of Sarasota, Florida; and Keith Renay Kelley Sr; daughters, Nancy Elizabeth Kelley Thomas (Donnie) of Beaufort, South Carolina; and Ann Gay Kelley Morgan (Dwight) of Ponte Vedra, Florida; brother, Danny Mack Lippard (Linda); sister, Vivian Lippard Eades (Jerry); and brother-in-law Bill Holdsclaw of Statesville, North Carolina. Grandchildren: Kelli Lynn Thomas (George Mosier), Eric Richard Thomas Sr. (Barbie); Keith Renay Kelley Jr. (Janice); Erin Johnson Norton (Jacob); Adrienne Morgan; Matthew Morgan; and Tiffany Dale Kelley; great-grandchildren: Elizabeth Lynn Thomas (David Pellegrine); Eric Richard Thomas Jr.; Macie Elaine Thomas; Blake Kelley and Emily Kelley; and Emersyn Norton; great-great-grandchildren: Edward Richard Thomas; Sarabeth Elize Thomas; Zachary Michael Thomas; and Jacob Alexander Pellegrine; and numerous nieces and nephews. Velma loved her family, and all her grandchildren had a special place in her heart. In her retirement, she enjoyed watching golf; Tiger Woods was her favorite golf pro. She also loved watching her flowers grow and the birds, squirrels, and deer that played in her yard. Hobbies included crafting, puzzles, sewing, and cooking. She was an excellent cook and baker and made the best pound cakes and persimmon puddings. She was a member at Carteret Street United Methodist Church; a supporter of The Salvation Army; and, The Senior Citizens Center. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Velma's name, are welcomed and appreciated to the American Heart Association. Friends and family members may attend the visitation on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Graveside Services will be held at 12:00 p.m. at the National Cemetery, 1601 Boundary Street, Beaufort, South Carolina, 29902. Anderson Funeral Home, is handling arrangements, 611 Robert Smalls Pkwy, Beaufort, SC. 29906 Phone: 843-524-7144.