Willie Mae Kellam

Willie Mae Kellam, born April 26, 1923, in Davis Wharf, Virginia, peacefully passed away on Saturday, August 31, 2024, at Oak Grove Rehab and Health in Chesapeake, Virginia. She was surrounded by the love of her family as she transitioned to her eternal rest.
Willie Mae was the cherished daughter of the late James Turner and Annie Mae Watson of Davis Wharf. She received her education through the Virginia Public School system, completing the 11th grade, which was the highest level of education available at that time.
She was united in marriage to the late George M. Kellam, and through this union, they were blessed with nine children, though one passed away in infancy. Willie Mae dedicated 13 years of her life to working at Perdue Farms, Incorporated in Eviscerating before retiring at the age of 62. Her retirement was marked by her love for children, as she provided daycare services to many neighborhood children and her beloved grandchildren, including Gregory Walker (deceased), Nakia Kellam, Dante Kellam, and Brie Castle.
A devoted member of Shiloh Baptist Church from an early age, Willie Mae was an active participant in the Senior Missionary and the Willing Workers Committee. Her faith was a cornerstone of her life, and she found joy in reading the Bible daily and listening to gospel music.
Willie Mae's vibrant spirit shone through her hobbies. She loved cooking, gardening, and listening to gospel music. She had a remarkable talent for preparing meals without a cookbook and took great pleasure in cooking for her family during holidays and special occasions. Raised on a farm, her love for gardening was evident in the blooming plants and flowers that adorned her home.
She was preceded in death by her siblings, James E. Turner Jr., Burleigh Turner, William H. Turner, Preston Turner, John Lee Turner, Mattie Daughtery, and Sarah Smith; daughters, Clara Ann Walker and Debbie Kellam; son-in-law, Charlie Walker, Sr.; daughter-in-law, Sue Kellam; grandsons, Gregory Walker, Sr. and Dreskel Kellam; great-grandson, Bre'onya Collins; and special niece who was like a daughter, Georgia Harris.
Willie Mae is survived by three daughters, Rosie Mae (Thomas) Smith who was her dedicated caregiver, Danita Kellam (Linnie) and Melissa Castle (Reginald); three sons, George Kellam, Jr., Norman (Sandra) Kellam, and James (Annie Pearl) Kellam; seventeen grandchildren, Craig Walker, Sr., Gwendolyn Walker, Kenneth Walker, Charlie Walker, Jr., Nakia Kellam, Desmond Kellam, Rashad Kellam, Thomas Smith, Jr., Rosetta Smith, Norman Kellam, Jr., Kenisha Kellam, James Kellam, Jr., Dyshene Davis, Fred Weatherly, Jr., Dante Kellam, Brie Castle, and Kobi Castle; two nephews, Burleigh (Janice) Walters and Henry Bailey; four nieces, Rosie Pyron, Jeanette Bailey, Diane Harmonson, and Nise Turner; special cousin, Geneva Carr; devoted friends, Lillie Belle Logan and Shirley Martin; her dedicated caregivers over the years; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Lanaja Kellam and Kenisha Kellam, niece Joan Kellam, and friends Latanya Matthews, Keena Davis, and Gloria Drummond "Mama Girl;" and a host of great-grandchildren, cousins, other relatives, and friends who will cherish her memory.
Willie Mae Kellam's legacy of love, faith, and family will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.
Lovingly submitted,
The Family