Service
Mrs. Kelly will be laid to rest Saturday, December 5, 2015 at Willis and Sons Funeral Home, 5235 Robinson Road Ext., Jackson, MS. Her services will begin at 2:00 p.m. Committal will be at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Newton, MS. Visitation will be Friday, December 4, 2015 at Willis and Son Funeral Home, Jackson, MS from 1:00 - 7:00 pm.
Obituary
Mary Catherine Baylis Kelly, the daughter of Vertibell Hayes Baylis and Willard Baylis was born on September 6, 1934 in Oakvale, Mississippi.
Catherine attended elementary school in Oakvale and continued her education at Prentiss Institute in Prentiss, Mississippi where she graduated from high school in 1953.
Mary grew up in a Christian environment and attended church with her parents and siblings every
Sunday. After her move to Berkeley, California in 1955, she attended Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church, serving in the choir and with the usher ministry. Catherine remained in fellowship there (50 plus years) until her move to Jackson, Mississippi in 2012. After settling in Jackson, she immediately found a church home and joined in fellowship with New Jerusalem North under the pastorate of Dr. Dewayne Pickett.
After Catherine's move to Berkeley, California, she enrolled in nursing school and became a nurse. She worked as a nurse for over thirty years. She retired from Merritt Hospital in Oakland, California in 2000. After her retirement, her love for her patients inspired her to continue work as a private duty nurse.
While she was pursuing her nursing career, Catherine also went to Modeling school and became a model for Capwell's
Department store. Her passion for fashion made her truly a "Royal Diva" at all time.
Catherine was married to the Late Brelon Price and William Wolf in her early life. However, in 1982, she found the love of her life, R. C. Kelly. Catherine and R. C. would live happily together until his demise in 2015.
She was a member of many civic and social clubs which included the Flocks and Flares who raised money for Heart Disease and other medical charities. Her hobby was doing arts and crafts. Her specialty was making ceramic trees which she gave to family members and friends.
After a life well lived here on earth, Catherine went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, November 29, 2015, surrounded by family.
Her memory will be cherished by: her devoted sisters, Sophia Fredricks and Erma White Mitchell; brother, Levi Walls, III; stepson, Ronald Kelly; Annie and Robert Smith, who where like a sister and brother; many nieces, newphews, cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by: her mother and father; stepfather Levi Walls, II; sisters, Martha Watts, Vonciel Oatis and Geneva Strickland; and two brothers, Redamus and Victor Baylis.
Catherine attended elementary school in Oakvale and continued her education at Prentiss Institute in Prentiss, Mississippi where she graduated from high school in 1953.
Mary grew up in a Christian environment and attended church with her parents and siblings every
Sunday. After her move to Berkeley, California in 1955, she attended Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church, serving in the choir and with the usher ministry. Catherine remained in fellowship there (50 plus years) until her move to Jackson, Mississippi in 2012. After settling in Jackson, she immediately found a church home and joined in fellowship with New Jerusalem North under the pastorate of Dr. Dewayne Pickett.
After Catherine's move to Berkeley, California, she enrolled in nursing school and became a nurse. She worked as a nurse for over thirty years. She retired from Merritt Hospital in Oakland, California in 2000. After her retirement, her love for her patients inspired her to continue work as a private duty nurse.
While she was pursuing her nursing career, Catherine also went to Modeling school and became a model for Capwell's
Department store. Her passion for fashion made her truly a "Royal Diva" at all time.
Catherine was married to the Late Brelon Price and William Wolf in her early life. However, in 1982, she found the love of her life, R. C. Kelly. Catherine and R. C. would live happily together until his demise in 2015.
She was a member of many civic and social clubs which included the Flocks and Flares who raised money for Heart Disease and other medical charities. Her hobby was doing arts and crafts. Her specialty was making ceramic trees which she gave to family members and friends.
After a life well lived here on earth, Catherine went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, November 29, 2015, surrounded by family.
Her memory will be cherished by: her devoted sisters, Sophia Fredricks and Erma White Mitchell; brother, Levi Walls, III; stepson, Ronald Kelly; Annie and Robert Smith, who where like a sister and brother; many nieces, newphews, cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by: her mother and father; stepfather Levi Walls, II; sisters, Martha Watts, Vonciel Oatis and Geneva Strickland; and two brothers, Redamus and Victor Baylis.