Ruth Ellen Kelley of Huntington, West Virginia, passed away in the comfort of her Woodlands home on December 26th, 2024. Ruth Ellen was born on May 17th, 1937, in New London, Connecticut, and then raised in Louisa, KY, graduating with the Louisa High School class of 1955.
Ruth Ellen began teaching in 1967; she initially had doubts about making it a lifelong career. However, after guidance from her mother, Merica, she believed it was God’s plan to pursue teaching. She continued to do so for another thirty-three years. In that time, she achieved Wayne County Teacher of the Year in 92-93 and was honored six times in the Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers. This prestigious award demonstrates Ruth Ellen’s impact on her students’ lives. Only 5 percent of teachers are honored in each edition, and less than 2 percent are included more than once.
Ruth Ellen was devoted to and passionate about family. She showed this throughout her life by helping raise her younger brother, Sonny, and being a single mother of two in the 1960s. She also made it a priority to travel to all of her grandchildren’s events.
In her spare time, Ruth Ellen enjoyed traveling to the beach on her yearly vacations with her family. After retirement, she enjoyed many trips, cruises, and adventures with her late husband, George. She was also devoted to her Church, Westmoreland United Methodist, and was an active member for most of her adult life.
Surviving are her younger brother Ulysses Sonny Branham and his wife Judy; Her son Thomas Roberts and his wife Carrie. Also surviving are her grandchildren: Ronnie Kelley, Tracy Kelley Maynard, Cory Black, Savannah Murray, Taylor Roberts, and Molly Crowley. Great-grandchildren: Hudson Murray, Adelia and Shepherd Black, as well as her nephew, several cousins, and Savannah & Taylor’s mother, Angela.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Millard F. Branham and Merica Skaggs; her loving husband of 38 years, George Kelley Jr.; her daughter, Tamara E. Crowley; and her stepsons, Ronald and David Kelley.
In lieu of flowers, we ask for donations to be made to:
Westmoreland United Methodist Church
3602 Auburn Rd.
Huntington, WV 25704
304-429-2816
Hospice of Huntington
1101 6th Ave.
Huntington, WV 25701
Funeral services will be conducted on Monday, January 6, 2025 at 1:00 pm at the Reger Funeral Chapel, Huntington. Burial will follow at Spring Valley Memory Gardens.
Friends may call Monday, January 6, 2025 from 12:00pm until service time at the funeral home
The funeral service will be live streamed on the funeral homes website
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.regerfh.com
