Carol Kelley Obituary

Carol Ann Kelley N. CHARLESTON - Carol Ann Kelley, age 83, died in the Summerville Medical Hospital, Summerville, SC, on April 4, 2014. Her surgery a month earlier at the Trident Medical Hospital was successful, but complications afterwards led to her death. Carol was born on January 25, 1931 in Melrose Park, Illinois. The oldest of three children, her parents were Frederick C. and Grace (Roderick) Fenton. Her sister Sylvia Hills, of South Haven, Michigan, passed away in 2008. Her brother Frederick Fenton and his wife Chantal reside in Pensacola, Florida. Carol graduated from South Haven High School, in South Haven, Michigan, in 1948. She attended Carthage College for two years in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Carol was married and divorced twice (Jabez Baysinger, Leland Kelley). Carol is survived by children Grace Baysinger, Edith (Baysinger) Pierce, Frederick Baysinger, Steven Baysinger, and Lisa (Kelley) Ramlow. Her son Leland Kelley Jr. predeceased her. Carol had 11 grandchildren, several great grandchildren, and four nieces. During her career, Carol worked in healthcare, managed an antique store, and was organist for a number of churches. She also was an active volunteer at the local courthouse and played hymns on Sunday mornings for a local nursing home. Carol lived in Michigan, New Mexico, and Nevada before moving to South Carolina in 1998. Carol loved to do a wide variety of crafts, enjoyed cooking, and was an avid reader. She also loved to swim. When her children were small, she took them to the beach daily so it was like going on vacation every day of the week. In addition to her children, her menagerie always included cats and dogs but also included a donkey and peacocks when she was in Nevada and goats when she lived in South Carolina. Per Carol's wishes, her body was donated to the Medical University of South Carolina. An open house for family and close friends was held on April 9, 2014. A short memorial service led by Pastor Ellen Younker will be held during a musical jamboree on Sunday, May 18, 2014, from 11:00 AM - Noon, at Cherokee Place United Methodist Church, 2105 Cosgrove Ave, Charleston, SC. As Music Director and Organist for Cherokee Place, Carol had been enthusiastically looking forward to the jamboree. The family is very grateful for all of Pastor Younker's support, especially for being at the hospital with Carol when she passed away. The family is also thankful for the dedicated support provided by Steve Baysinger and Lisa Ramlow during the last months of Carol's life. Carol was a talented and amazing person who will be missed by many people. Instead of resting in peace we hope that she is playing the piano and jazzing up some hymns that are being sung by a dancing angelic choir. In addition to her lifelong love of music, she was also passionate about animals and their welfare. In lieu of sending flowers to the memorial service, please consider making a donation to the Charleston Animal Society (www.charlestonanimalsociety.org). Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston