Delois Kelley, 79, of Galesburg, passed away peacefully with family and friends by her side at 9:16 p.m. March 24, 2020 at home.
Delois was born January 19, 1941 in Farm Haven, MS, the daughter of Joseph and Martha (Luckett) Carpenter. She married James “Bud” Kelley. Delois is survived by two sons, Craig (Jill Johnson) Carpenter of Galesburg and Tim (Kim) Carpenter of Jackson, TN; one daughter, Barb Kelley of Galesburg; two sisters, Margaret (Jim) Jones of Flint, MI and Marsha Robinson, San Leandro, CA; one goddaughter, Alaina Brown; and two great grandchildren, Jaydon and Tailor Bond. Delois is also survived by Vernita Luckett-Wallace of Canton, MS, Mary Jo (C.J. Hodge) Duckworth, and Brenda Duckworth both of Galesburg, whom were like her children. Delois also leaves behind her “Golden Girls,” Odette Jackson and Joyce Taylor; and her close friends Betty Bunch and Ann Taylor. Delois was preceded in death by her parents and one niece.
Delois graduated from Galesburg High School. She worked as an assembler at Maytag for over 30 years. After retiring from Maytag, Delois worked at Dick Blick for 3 years and was currently working at Lexi’s Gaming Parlor in Galesburg. Delois was an active member at Bethesda Baptist Church. She enjoyed listening to Jazz, spending time fishing, and going to the gambling boats. Delois loved to travel with her sisters as well as travelling with the “Golden Girls.”
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic arrangements are as follows: Friends and family may pay their respects from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday at Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg. Private family services will be held. Burial will be private at East Linwood Cemetery, Galesburg. Memorials may be made in Delois’ memory to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.
