Isabel Saunders Kelsey

Isabel Saunders Kelsey, 99, of Abingdon, Va., passed away on Thursday, February 23, 2012, at Valley Health Care Center in Chilhowie, Va., after a long illness. She was born at the family home, Bleak Hill, in Franklin County, Va., on November 29, 1912, and was the daughter of the late William Dabney Saunders and Betty Montgomery Saunders, residents of Bleak Hill and Blacksburg, Va., where her father served on the faculty of VPI in the Dairy Science Department. The Saunders' family home in Blacksburg was SOLITUDE, the oldest building on the campus in Blacksburg, and faculty housing at that time.
Mrs. Kelsey was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Paul Victor Kelsey, in 2002; two brothers, William Dabney Saunders Jr. and Robert Montgomery Saunders; and a sister, Elizabeth Saunders Lee, MD.
Survivors include one son, Paul Victor Kelsey Jr. and wife, Donna, of Phoenix, Ariz.; granddaughter, Gidget Kelsey Bacon and husband, Ken, and two great-grandchildren, also of Phoenix; and one daughter, Elizabeth "Betsy" Kelsey Hulvey, of Abingdon; grandchildren, Elizabeth Kelsey Hulvey, of Charlotte, N.C., Margaret Lewis Hulvey, of Abingdon, and John Thomas Hulvey Jr. MD, of Charleston, S.C.
Isabel Kelsey was a graduate of Blacksburg High School and Marjorie Webster School in Washington, D.C.; and in 1934, she received a degree in Business Administration from VPI. After her graduation, she worked for the federal government in Washington, D.C., for two years. She was a member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Abingdon at the time of her death.
A lifelong fan of VPI, Mrs. Kelsey followed Tech's football and basketball programs for over 50 years, and she became very knowledgeable of the nuances of both sports, as well as the attributes and/or failures of players and coaches. She also followed the Atlanta Braves baseball team with great interest.
A Graveside Service in Blacksburg, Va., for both Mr. and Mrs. Kelsey will be held later in the spring of this year.
Friends and family may call at the home of the Hulveys, 112 Crestview Drive, Abingdon, on Sunday, February 26, 2012, from 1 to 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in memory of Isabel Saunders Kelsey to The Boys Home, 306 Boys Home Rd., Covington, VA 24426. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www. farrisfuneralservice.com.
Mrs. Kelsey and her family are in the care of Farris Funeral Service and Crematory, 427 East Main St., Abingdon, VA 24210, (276) 623-2700.