Rev. Osmond Kelly Ingram

The Reverend Osmond Kelly Ingram, 87, died peacefully Monday, February 20, 2006, at Woodland Terrace, Cary, NC, after a long period of declining health.
He was native of Birmingham, AL, where he attended public schools receiving his undergraduate degree from Birmingham Southern before attending The Divinity School, Duke Univ., Durham. After obtaining his BD. degree in 1943 and ordination into the Methodist Church, The North Carolina Conference, he served churches in Robbins, Wilmington, Erwin, Oxford and Elizabeth City before joining the Divinity School faculty in 1959 as Assoc. Prof. of Applied Christianity, retiring in 1988. During his years at DDS he was Dean of Students, Director of Field Education; Chairman of Ministerial Studies as well as writing books and articles, he continued to offer leadership on various committees in The NC Conference and General Conference of the United Methodist Church.
His many interests and enthusiasm in addition to The Lord's ministry, his family and friends revolved around justice issues on economic, cultural and spiritual levels, both nationally and worldwide. He traveled extensively investing himself in solutions for all peoples.
In addition to Kelly's strong Christian faith, another influence was the fact he was named after his uncle, the first US seaman to die in the W.W.I, which led to a strong involvement in peace issues. The O. Kelly Ingram Park in Birmingham, the site of Civil Rights activity in the 1960s, was another connection to history that led to vital areas of his life and ministry. He leaves a personal contribution here and around the world so that each of us can live free, equal with dignity in God's peace.
He is survived by his wife, Geraldine Ingram; two daughters, Beth Davis, Greensboro, NC and Julia Howington and her husband, Bill, Topsail Beach, NC; their aunt, Maude Middleton, Greensboro, NC; four stepchildren, Doug Ford, his wife, Michelle, Washington, DC,Greg Ford, Cary, NC, Tom Ford, his wife, Robin, and Melanie Armstrong, her husband, Bert, Raleigh NC; and 12 grandchildren, each of whom he was proud to love and enjoy.
The family wishes to extend a special thanks to all the caregivers, staff and friends at Woodland Terrace, where he lived during the last four and half years for the atmosphere and loving attention theyshared.
A memorial service will be held at Edenton Street United Methodist Church in Raleigh NC at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, February 26, with the Reverend Dr. Kermit Brasswell and The Reverend Ed New officiating.
In lieu of flowers memorials maybe made to: The Ingram Scholarship Fund at The Divinity School Duke University, Durham NC 27708 or Hinton Center PO Box 27 Hayesville,NC 28904 or Any charity of your choice.
Arrangements by Cremation Society of the Carolinas.