Obituary of Marie I. Kelly

It was on March 24, 1934, in De Walt, Texas, the Lord allowed a precious baby girl to be born to the late Willie Sr. and Magnolia Foster. They named their gift from the Lord, Marie Foster. She was the second eldest of 9 sisters and 3 brothers.

Marie accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age. She faithfully attended throughout her life the New St. Phillip Missionary Baptist Church (Formally known as St. Phillip Missionary Baptist Church.) There she would remain a faithful member and she devotedly served in the Mass Choir and the Women in Action Chorus.

Marie was married to the love of her life, the late James Edward Kelly.

Affectionately known as “Chunky”, Marie was a loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great-great grandmother, sister, aunt, and cousin. She enjoyed bowling, fishing, gardening, shopping, singing, and celebrating with her family and friends.

Early morning, on August 22, 2023, Marie waited patiently while God dispatched his angels to escort her from her earthly life to her eternal rest. Marie will always be remembered for her kindness; a beautiful bright soul that shined a light on everyone she met.

She entered heaven’s gates alongside her parents, Willie and Maggie; her husband, James Edward; three brothers, Willie Jr., Larry Renny, Kenneth Wayne; two sisters, Lois Beatrice Debose and Edna Faye Foster.

Surviving with beautiful, cherished memories; her daughter, Linda and husband, Jesse Brown; sisters, Hattie Kelly, Martha Roberts, Shirley Jarmon, Jackie Simpson, Debra Roberson, Cathy Mills, and Gloria Foster; grandchildren, Cain Grantham, and Terrance (Melissa) Grantham, her great grandchildren, Cain III, Jaims, Lynda Marie, Terrance II, and Delia; her handsome great-great grandson, Elijah, and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, other relatives, church family, and friends.