Nellie Gene Maples Kelley

Nellie “Gene” Kelley passed away peacefully on May 30, 2025 at the age of 97. Born July 7, 1927 she was the youngest of 11 children born to Sam & Ernie Pearl Maples in Owen’s Cross Roads, AL. She graduated from New Hope High School where she met and later married her high school sweetheart, Elmer Kelley, Sr., in 1946. They were married 66 years when he passed away May 20, 2012.

Gene loved her church, First Baptist Church of Anniston, AL. and later Hillcrest Baptist Church in Mobile. She was always active, working with the Girls Auxiliary at a younger age to teaching Sunday School.

She was an enthusiastic Auburn fan because the love of her life went to school there. When you entered their house it was obvious that it was “WAR EAGLE” territory! She loved her pet dogs and cats and goldfish and she loved to feed the seagulls off of her porch overlooking Mobile Bay.

She was the mother of 3 children, the grandmother of 5, the great grandmother of 11 and the great-great grandmother of 9.

She was strongly devoted to her family and had the same strong devotion to her friends.

Gene/Mrs Kelley will be missed by many and loved always.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday June 7th at VOA headquarters ( formerly Hillcrest Baptist Church ) at 1204 Hillcrest Rd, Mobile,AL. Visitation for family will be from 12:00-1:00 and visitation for friends from 1:00-2:00 with the service at 2:00. Burial will immediately follow at Pinecrest West Cemetery at 1599 Snow Rd. Mobile.

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