Wilda “Rita” Merita Fleming Kelly, 81, passed away on Monday, April 26, 2021. Visitation will be held at Fondren Church (formerly Woodland Hills Baptist Church) in Jackson, MS on Friday, April 30 from 12:00 to 2:00 PM with the funeral service beginning at 2:00 PM and officiated by Rev Ty Pigott. A private family committal service will follow at Lakewood Memorial Park.
Rita was born on June 28, 1939 in Clara, MS. She attended Jones County Community College. Rita was a lifelong member of Woodland Hills Baptist Church where she shared her love of music singing in the choir. She was a lifelong educator which included teaching Sunday School with the deaf ministry and impacting many young children at Ann Smith Elementary in Ridgeland. Rita had a passion for the arts including ceramics, painting and creating elaborate costumes for many theater and church productions. She was a premier Arabian horse breeder with horses shown around the country. Rita was a loving soul who never met a stranger, sharing her unwavering love of Jesus with all those she encountered. She loved to cook and would make you the best home cooked meal if you'd let her!
Rita held this scripture dear to her heart - 3 John 1:4 - "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." Her final written words of testament were "I hope I have given you Jesus as He gave Himself for us."
She is preceded in death by her parents, Gordon Ware Fleming, Sr. and Mattie Wilda Shoemaker Fleming; daughter, Martha "Marty" Kelly; and sister, Bonnie Fleming Merrifield.
Rita is survived by her daughter, Danaleah Kelly Roberson (Benji) of Ridgeland; son, Gary Dan “Laddie" Kelly, Jr. (Jenny) of Ridgeland; her grandchildren, Rainey Daniels (James) of Madison, Summer Rose Roberson, Katherine Camille Kelly and Daniel Patrick Kelly; her great grandchildren, Violet Daniels and Rett Daniels; her brother, Gorden "Rocky" Ware Fleming, Jr (Sallie) of Rogers, AR; many loving nieces, nephews and a host of long-time friends.
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