Emmala Mays Kelly Howerton

Emmala (Emy) Mays Kelly Howerton Emmala (Emy) Mays Kelly Howerton died peacefully in her home in Madison, Florida on April 11, 2010. She was surrounded by her loving family and friends. Emy was born on September 4, 1919 in Monticello, Florida and was the daughter of the late Colin P. and Mary (Mamie) Mays Kelty. Her late brother was Captain Colin P. Kelly Jr., the first hero of WWII. Her grandfather was Dannitte H. Mays, who married Emmala Bellamy Parkhill. D.H. Mays became Speaker of the House of Florida, and later a U.S. Congressman. Her great-grandfather was Richard Johnson Mays, who with his wife, Eliza, settled in Madison County in the late 1820s. He was responsible for forming the Baptist Association of Florida at his home at Clifton Mansion, near the Jefferson County line, and is marked by a commemorative monument. Her surviving children are Colin Kelly (Vicki) Howerton and Mary Howerton Blackmon, Tommy (Michelle) Howerton, Sandy (Lilla) Howerton, and Gaines Howerton. Her surviving grandchildren are Memy Howerton Hayes (Tommy), John Blackmon (Michelle) and Matt Blackmon (Brooke). Great-grandchildren include: Kelly Hayes, Cole Hayes, Nora Blackmon, Davis Blackmon, and Emmala Jane Blackmon. Emy loved playing bridge in the weekly bridge club. She was a member of Ladies Golf Association of the Madison Country Club where she played golf, and was the church organist for many years at the First Presbyterian Church. She was also a member of the Colonial Dames, Daughters of the American Revolution, and a longtime member of the Audrey-Newman Circle at First United Methodist Church. Emy lived in Madison all of her life. Emy's engaging personality and her welcoming smile will be greatly missed by all. Services will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Madison, at 2:00 p.m. EDT, Thursday, April 15, 2010, with interment at Oak Ridge Cemetery. Visitation will be at Beggs Funeral Home Madison Chapel from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. EDT, Wednesday, April 14, 2010. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 348 SW Rutledge St., Madison, FL 32340; Madison County Memorial Hospital, 303 NE Marion St., Madison, FL 32340; or Big Bend Hospice, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32308.