Elsie Sockwell Kelly

Elsie (Sockwell) Kelly was the oldest child born to the late Emanual Sr. and Carrie (Burke) Sockwell in Gibsonville, NC on June 10, 1935 and she departed this earthly life to eternal life at the age of 86 on Saturday, January 29, 2022 in Maidens, VA peacefully in her sleep at home. She was preceded in death by her husband: Robert R. Kelly and siblings: William (Willie) Sockwell, Emanual (Mack) Sockwell Jr., John Sockwell, Edith Dafney, Elvira Sockwell, Ethel Sockwell, Margaret Sockwell, Marion Asberry, Sheila A. Hurdle, and her grandson Stanley P. Lee. Left to cherish her memories are two brothers: James Sockwell and Julius Sockwell; her children: William H. (Shelia) Lee III, Sheree V. Dawson, James E. (Benita) Lee, Gary A. (Ivy) Lee, Brian D. (Karen) Lee, Zita Lee, Tanya G. Lee; thirteen grandchildren, several great and great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. And her beloved and cherished sister Zita L. Kelly of North Brunswick, NJ; and Rose Hooker of Henrico, VA she affectionately call her daughter. She accepted Christ at the age of twelve at the Zion Baptist Church, Waterbury, CT where she was a member of various ministries. She was a retiree from Waterbury Buckle Company, Waterbury, CT. Elsie went back to night school and graduated with her diploma from Waterbury High School on June 11, 1992. She moved to Virginia and joined North Gayton Baptist Church, Richmond, VA and consecrated a Deaconess there on October 28, 2012 and participated in various church ministries. Elsie enjoyed reading her Bible, praying, and loved singing praises to the Lord. She would often burst out in song during conversations and family prayer calls. Some of the memorable songs Let God Abide, Amazing Grace, This Joy I Have and The Lord’s Prayer. She loved God in the good and bad times of her life still praising Him through her illness. She once asked her daughter what is my ministry now that I’m bedridden? She told her mom you are a “Prayer Warrior!” She would often share her testimony and prayer for nurses, patient techs and others while in the hospital and during her morning and evening prayers. Her favorite Bible verse was Matthew 22:37, “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul and with all thy mind.” The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the team from Kindred at Home Health and Kindred Hospice for all the love and respect shown our mother while under their care. A special thank you to Nurse Morgan Durham who cared for her in such a loving and personal way and her neighbor Elaine Willis she affectionally called “My Coffee Lady” and her daughter Benita Lee for helping with mom and sitting with her to allow her daughter/caregiver to take time for self-care. A memorial service will be held on Friday, February 18, 2022 at 1:00PM, Woody Funeral Home, 1771 N. Parham Rd. Richmond, VA 23229