Margaret Barber Kelley
Margaret Barber Kelley, 85, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, Saturday, June 25, 2022, in the St. Elizabeth Hospice Center in Edgewood, Ky. She was born November 5, 1936, in Washington, to the late Frank Barber from Boutetort County, Va., and the late French Mary Frances Foster Carter Barber from Orange County, Va.
Margaret was raised in Washington and graduated from Washington High School in 1955. As a teenager, she learned a strong work ethic while working for the Wallace Family of Washington, (founders Wallace and Dunbar Lumber). She continued as a young adult at Peggy Ann’s Dress Shop and later worked for Washington County Community Action Day Care and Head Start for 19 years throughout Washington and East Washington. She obtained and maintained a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential through CDA National Credentialing Program. She furthered her study of Early Childhood Development at the University of Pittsburgh and California University of Pennsylvania.
She married Leroy Webster Kelley Sr. of West Middletown December 30, 1955, in the St. Paul AME Church’s Parsonage in Washington. They lived in West Middletown from 1955 to 2010 and had three children, Leslie Dawn Kelley (deceased), Leroy W. Kelley Jr. of Germantown, Md., and Adrienne Joy Kelley Gordon (Ernest) of Northern Kentucky. Her grandchildren are Rosa Milan Gordon (deceased) and Camille Milan Gordon.
Margaret is survived by one sister, Ruth Johnson of Eatontown, N.J.
She was preceded in death by siblings, Frank Barber Jr., Walter Barbour, Grace Richardson, Helen Nesby and Jerry Herman Barber.
She has one sister-in-law, Rosalie Robertson of McKeesport; and a brother-in-law, James Kelly of South Holland, Ill.
She is also survived by several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, friends and precious students.
Margaret was a member of the Nazareth Baptist Church in Washington, where she was baptized as a child. After marrying, she later joined Israel AME Church in West Middletown, and then St. Paul AME Church in Washington, where she served on the Missionary Board.
She was a member of the Avella Band Boosters for several years and served as the president and treasurer.
In 2010, she and her husband moved to Northern Kentucky to be near their granddaughter, Camille. Margaret enjoyed spending time with her family. She had a great love for children, animals, travel, cooking, crafts and art. Over the years, she has mended many band uniforms, participated in countless fundraisers and attended several football games, band competitions, basketball games, martial arts tournaments and archery tournaments. Family was her priority and she lived her life to the fullest.
Friends will be received from 10 a.m. until noon, the hour of services, Saturday, July 9, in the Piatt and Barnhill Funeral Home, 420 Locust Avenue, Washington, with the Reverend Angela Love officiating. Interment will follow in West Middletown Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to St. Elizabeth Hospice Center, 483 South Loop Road, Edgewood, KY 41017. Notes of comfort for in-patient residents and in-home hospice patients are also welcome.
Condolences may be expressed at www.piattandbarnhillfh.com. Piatt and Barnhill Funeral Directors, Charles R. Piatt, owner / supervisor and Andrew C. Piatt, director.