Gladys L. “Happy” Kelley, 95, of Wellsville, NY, died Sunday, July 17, 2022 in her home surrounded by her family. She was a resident of Wellsville for 59 years.
Born in Crawfordville, GA on September 26, 1926, she was the daughter of Raymond and Kitty Clyde Beazley Lunsford. Mrs. Kelley was a graduate of Alexander Stephens Institute in 1944. She was employed as a hat model for various department stores and Milliner shops in the Atlanta area for several years. She began her secretarial career in the early 1950’s. On May 10, 1957, she married Benjamin S. Kelley, who was also of Atlanta. Relocating to Wellsville, New York in 1963, she became a longtime member of the First Congregational Church, now the Grace United Church. For over a decade she was the church secretary, retiring in the early 1980’s. Mrs. Kelley was a member of the Jones Memorial Hospital Auxiliary for over 55 years, and was the oldest member of the auxiliary at the time of her death. She worked with the Jones Memorial Hemlock Twig and was a past member of the Wellsville Country Club. Mrs. Kelley was predeceased by her husband, Benjamin S. Kelley on December 13, 2009, and her brother, Harold Lunsford on December 30, 2013.
Surviving are: three daughters, Susan (Richard) Piekarski of Hudson, OH, Anne (Dennis) Sobeck of Wellsville, and Sarah (Brian) DeBrincat of Annapolis, MD; five grandchildren, Richard, Garrett, and Michael Piekarski, Benjamin and Elizabeth Sobeck; a niece, Rebecca Martin of Oxford, GA and nephews, Kenneth Lunsford of Gainsville, GA and Michael (Anne) Adelman of Ocean Pines, MD. At her request, there will be no visitation.
A memorial service will be held at the Grace United Church on Thursday, July 28, 2022 at 3:00 PM. Rev. Dr. Karen Borchert will officiate. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Wellsville.
Donations in Mrs. Kelley’s memory may be made to Jones Memorial Hospital or the David A. Howe Public Library.
Arrangements are under the direction of OLNEY-FOUST Funeral Homes & Cremation, Crowell Chapel, 296 North Main Street, Wellsville, NY. Online condolences may be expressed at www.olneyfoust.com.
