Cover photo for Msg. Shiela P. Kelly's Obituary
Msg. Shiela P. Kelly Profile Photo

Msg. Shiela P. Kelly

July 8, 1933 — October 18, 2015

Msg. Shiela P. Kelly

Msg. Shiela P. Kelly (RET) died on Saturday, October 18, 2015. Born in Buffalo, NY to Bernard and Mary (Brown) Kelly on July 8, 1933, Shiela was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Allan (her twin) and Brian, as well as her great-niece Rebecca. She is survived by brother Norman of Clarksville, sister-in-law Patricia Kelly of Michigan, niece Siobhan (Ashley) Hutchison of Bailey, MS, niece Lynn (Jerry) Albertson, nephew Michael (Jessica) Kelly and great-nephews Gabriel, Matthew and McKenna Kelly, all of Michigan. She is also survived by her "adopted daughter" Regina Surber of Clarksville, TN.



Shiela excelled in school and in 1959 entered the Women's Army Corp to train as a nurse, graduating first in her class. She served faithfully and fully as a LPN, in obstetrics and dental clinics at bases in Colorado, Texas, Kentucky, New Jersey and Stutgardt, Germany.Feisty and a stickler for the rules, she did things one way; the right way. Her army career was the highlight of her life, retiring in 1979 from Fort Dix, N.J. as a Master Sergeant, the highest rank available to women at that time.



She relocated to Clarksville and began a second career of volunteering and caring for the most vulnerable of the community. She had many friends through the Good Samaritan, commodity delivering, roller skating, college courses at Austin Peay, Octoberfest, Walmart and McDonalds. She paid rent, bought food and cover bills for countless strangers and family, alike. A tough, independent lady, she learned to drive at 44, but still held on to her constant companion, Hector the bicycle. A spirit like hers never dies, it lives on in all those she touched. Once a soldier, always a solider.



Graveside Funeral Services with military honors will be held at 1:30 P.M. Wednesday October 21, 2015 in Resthaven Memorial Gardens. There will be a visitation time from 11 A.M. until 1 P.M. on Wednesday at Gateway Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Good Samaritan Medical and Dental Ministries in Clarksville. Phone 931-648-2444. Arrangements are under the care of Gateway Funeral Home and Cremation Center 335 Franklin Street Clarksville, TN 37040 Phone 931-919-2600. Online condolences may be made to www.gatewayfh.com.



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