On Friday, February 16, 2007 God whispered to Shirley "your work on Earth is done, I will carry you home."



Shirley Jean Kelly was born in Columbus, Ohio to Ida L. and the late Hughie Martin.  She is predeceased by two brothers; James L. and Hugh Jeffrey Martin.Shirley experienced a massive heart attack on June 24, 2006 and left us on February 16, 2007 after a prolonged illness due to the initial cardiac arrest.  She passed at the Stratford Hall Rehabilitation Center in Richmond, Virginia  surrounded by her loving family, friends and staff.



Shirley attended East High School in Columbus, Ohio and graduated in 1955.  After High s School, she entered the workforce and studied nursing at the Grant Hospital School of Nursing, becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse.



Shirley eloped and  married Arthur. R. Kelly, her one and only love, on February 4, 1957, in Newport, Rhode Island.  During Art?s military career, she and her children lived in many places along the East Coast including but not limited to Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida, Illinois and Virginia. They recently celebrated 50 years of marriage.



Mrs. Kelly devoted her life to servicing our Lord, her family, expectant mothers, and the elderly. In March, 2000,, she retired after 20 years of service with the Portsmouth (Virginia) Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, Virginia.  After a brief retirement, Shirley, a dutiful daughter, moved to Columbus, Ohiohio to care for her ailing mother, Ida.  She became a beloved fixture in the Franklin Park community once again.  Among friends and family, she will be remembered fondly as an excellent cook, a sharp card player, a music lover and an avid reader.



She is survived by her husband, Arthur Roderick Kelly; five wonderful children; Arthur Richard Kelly, Michele Leah Kelly, Eric Lee Kelly, Angela Renee Kelly,and Adonis Troy Kelly; a remarkable daughter-in-law, Nicole Kelly.  Grandchildren include, Courtney Raine Kelly, and Nadia Smith, Kendall Gabrielle Kelly, David Alton Kelly and Elijah Malik Kelly;great granddaughter, Jubilee Smith. Mother, Ida L. Martin; sister, Gael L. Martin; sister's in-law Barbara and Beverly Martin. She is also survived by a host of uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces and innumerable friends nationwide..





Shirley was a life long member of Morning Star Baptist Church. She was saved on August 20, 1984 and presented with a bible by Pastor C. H. Williams, the residing Pastor of Morning Star Baptist Church; 4800 First Court Road;Virginia Beach, Virginia 23455. Shirley J. Kelly will truly be missed by all the lives she touched in her journey.



The funeral will be held at 12 pm Friday, 23 February 2007 at Morning Star Baptist Church, 4780 First Court Road, Virginia Beach, VA.  Burial will follow the service at Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, Suffolk. Care has been entrusted to Pretlow and Sons Funeral Home, 500 Liberty Street, Chesapeake, VA. 23324, where visitation will be held Thursday from 2pm - 7pm.