Brenda Lee Gibbs Kelley, 78, of Statesville, N.C., died on Sunday, December 29, 2024, at the Gordon Hospice House in Statesville. She was in declining health for several years after her cancer diagnosis and remission. She was born in Hendersonville, N.C., to the late Thomas Jerry and Mary M. Gibbs. She graduated from East Henderson High School, Class of 1964.

She moved to Miami, Fla., and became a telephone operator for Southern Bell. While living there, she found the love of her life and future husband, Ray Kelley. He was stationed in the Navy at Key West. They were married on January 1, 1966, in Birmingham, Ala. They were married for 28 years before his death. She never remarried. She devoted her life to being a prayer warrior and shared her faith with all. She enjoyed games, especially bingo, painting, drawing, traveling, and most importantly spending time with her family.

The family would like to thank the Hospice House staff, especially Whitney Moose, Autumn Kiser, Dr. Zapata and all of mom’s caregivers.

She leaves behind her children, Diane (Lamar) Hawkins of Alabama, Danielle (Bobby) Benfield of Statesville, David Kelley of Lillington, Mary Deraine (Josh) Shumate of Alabama, and Michael “Dustin” Stano of Alabama. She also leaves grandchildren, Danny, Chase, Shaun, Mariah, David (DJ), Dante, Anderly, Joshua, Aubrey and Andrew; and great grandchildren, Summer, Alex, Chloe, Kylie and Korie Jean. She has one sister, Debbie (Mike) Forrester of Georgia, and a special double first cousin, Barbara (Dan) Jones of South Carolina.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, January 6, 2025, at 2 p.m. at Nicholson Funeral Home in the chapel with Pastor Kenny Wallace officiating. A burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in the veteran’s section. The family will have visitation from 1 to 1:45 p.m. prior to service.

Grandsons serving as pallbearers are Danny Hawkins, Chase Hawkins, Shaun Hawkins, David (DJ) Kelley, and Dante Kelley. SIL-Lamar Hawkins and honorary pallbearer SIL- Josh Shumate.

In lieu of flowers, friends can donate to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or the local Iredell County Animal Shelter. Both were very dear to her.

Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the Kelley family.