She was born on July 8, 1939, in Charlotte to the late Joseph Barnhill and Ruby Page Barnhill.
Mrs. Kelley was a member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church of Charlotte, NC. She was a graduate of Kings Business School and spent her career as an executive secretary.
Mrs. Kelley, suffered from Bipolar disorder her entire adult life. She was able to overcome and manage her daily battle with this disorder through the programs provided by InnerVision of Charlotte. She then became a strong advocate for those in her community who had suffered like she did. She was a member of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. In 2003 she was appointed as a volunteer Client Rights Liaison with Innervision, Inc., serving and helping those who struggled as she did. She was also appointed to the Innervision Board of Directors in 2003 and served in that capacity until her death.
In addition to her service at Innervision, she served on the board of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Charlotte, and the board of the NC Mental Health Consumers Organization.
She also received many awards and recognition for her volunteer work as follows:
* 2001 Consumer of the Year NAMI Charlotte
* 2001 Presidents Award NAMI North Carolina
* 2004 Presidents Award NC Mental Health Consumer’s Organization
* And was the recipient of the 2008 Dorothea Dix Staff Award for her commitment and dedication to improving the lives of mental health consumers.
In addition to her parents, Grace was preceded in death by her late husband, Franklin E. Kelley Sr.; and her brother, Joseph Barnhill Jr.
She is survived by her daughter, Monica K. Burke (Jimmy) of Huntersville, NC; her son, Franklin E. Kelley Jr. (Karen) of Chapin, SC; and her grandchildren, Trevor Day Kelley and Emily Grace Kelley, both of Mooresville, NC.
The graveside service is to be conducted at 2:00pm on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, at Forest Lawn West Cemetery, 4601 Freedom Drive in Charlotte.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Grace’s name to Innervision, Inc., 400 E. Trade street, Charlotte, NC 28202.
