My Grandmother Died - In Honor of Ida Kelley...

If you follow me on Twitter, than you know my grandmother died Sunday night. I love her dearly and will miss her. She is a saint in the truest sense of the word. I did not come up in a Christian home so it is difficult to realize one of the final few Kelley believers has gone to be with the Lord. Besides my grandfather, it is pretty much just my brother and myself to carry the faith forward on behalf of the Kelleys.

On a brighter note, this is a chance to celebrate the transforming power of the Gospel to shape a life for Jesus Christ! Grandma was, by far, one the most Christ-like people I have ever known. We will celebrate her life tomorrow at 10 am in Olanta, SC. We covet your prayers for granddaddy as he tries to adjust.

The article below is one that I posted back in August of this year. Like then, this is honor of Ida Kelley.

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Last week, I posted an article and introduced the blogosphere to my grandparents, namely Mr. and Mrs. Ivan and Ida Kelley. Of all the posts I have done in the last few years, this one might have received the most verbal comments from newhopers. I was stopped many times on Sunday morning and thanked for sharing their story. Many of you even shared through tears. There is something incredibly beautiful about a love that actually lays down one's life for another. I think that is why the movie titled, "Notebook" was such a smashing hit at the box office! Deep inside, all of us long to one day experience that kind of love, while also being able to express that kind of love for a spouse.

That kind of agape love, as you would expect, takes courage. It requires steadfastness. It demands unselfishness. And that is precisely why I'm so proud of my grandfather. In fact, just this morning, I typed grandaddy a letter, printed the blog post from below, and will drop it in the mail later today or tomorrow. I hope he is encouraged. Now, let me tell you about my grandmother!

She too is amazing in her own right. While she is being loved and served unconditionally by her husband, let me assure you that she faithfully loved and served Ivan Kelley, her husband of 60+ years. I have never known a more gentle, peaceful, patient, and loving woman than my grandmother. The patience, BTW, is totally required to be married to a Kelley. (I'm not just saying that because it sounds appropriate -- it is completely true - we are stubborn, passionate, and hard driving men - I guess it comes in the Irish blood :-)

For most of grandma's life, she stayed at home with her two sons, namely Ron, my dad, and Ivan Jr. However, when her two boys left home, grandma took a job at the local elementary school where she was in charge of the cafeteria and providing lunches for all the students. Looking back, I completely understand why she got the job. We all know that cafeteria food leaves a lot to be desired. However, if there ever was a woman to be in charge of preparing meals, even in a public school cafeteria, it would be my grandmother.


With her hands she raised these boys. With her hands she prepared home cooked meals from scratch. With her hands, she turned the pages of her Bible so many times. With her hands she loved my grandfather with a Godly love. And with these hands, she cared for me one summer while my immediate family had a crisis.

When I was seven years old, my mother suffered from a cerebral hemorrhage. After her stroke, she was in the hospital for three months and so my brothers and I lived with my grandparents in Charleston. As I look back on my childhood, those three months are some of my fondest memories as a child. My grandparents would pray with us before bedtime. They would tell us Bible stories throughout the day. They would take us to church on Sundays. They even took us to our very first Vacation Bible School. I am convinced of one of the reasons I am a Christian today is because my grandparents prayed for me and planted some of the seeds that God would later water for me at the age of 18 and continues to this day!

When I think of my grandmother there is one chapter in the Bible that comes to mind. It is from Proverbs 31 and reads like this:

A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.

She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.

She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.

She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.

In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. (Proverbs 31:10 - 31)

Grandma, though you are not familiar with blog posting and unfortunately, you could not read this letter if I sent it to you, I hope you know that I will forever be thankful for your guidance, unconditional love, and prayers. You are a Saint in the truest sense of the word. You are so close to resting on high with your Lord and I can't wait to meet you there in due time.

One more thing, friends - there is one other woman on planet Earth that reminds me most of my grandmother and that is Amy Lynn. I think that is one of the reasons I so quickly fell in love with her. I knew immediately that she was a woman driven by a deep love for the Lord and a strong commitment/conviction to serve her family and God for the rest of her life. They truly are a two of a kind and I am one blessed man to know and love them both.