Kay Sunderland Kelley entered into glory of the loving arms of Jesus on Thursday, Oct.7, 2021, at her home in Madison, following a lengthy illness.
Kay was born on March 26, 1948, in Wilmington, Del. to Richard Norman Sunderland and Doris Dunn Sunderland.
On her 6th Birthday, she moved to Keystone Heights, Fla. and spent her remaining childhood years in Clay County. She graduated from Florida State University in 1970, and later moved to her forever home in Madison County, in 1971.
Kay loved being an elementary school teacher and media specialist with the Madison Primary and Central Schools. Kay’s passion was reading stories to children in the classroom every day. Many of her former students have referred to her as the “The Story Lady”. In addition to Kay loving her work as a schoolteacher and media specialist, she enjoyed time with her granddaughters of all whom she adored. After retiring from 38 years of teaching she and her husband enjoyed many trips around the country and overseas to places like The Holy Land, London, Paris and the Mediterranean. They also enjoyed many weekend trips to the beach and to the mountains. Her passion was always spending time with her girls, Summer, Brooke and Bryce.
Kay was preceded in death by her father, Richard Sunderland; and mother, Doris Sunderland.
Kay is survived by her loving husband of 51 years, H. Alston Kelley; and her two children, Brian A. Kelley (Danielle) and Angela Kelley Croom (Michael), both of Tallahassee, Fla.; as well as five grandchildren: Summer Blair, Brooke Kelley, Bryce Kelley, Faith Marie Croom and Grace Croom; she also leaves behind her three brothers: Rick Sunderland, David Sunderland (Joyce) and Bruce Sunderland (Alana); and a beloved aunt, Ruth Howell, of Wilmington, Del.
A celebration of Kay’s life will be held on Friday, Oct. 15, 2021, with visitation at 10 a.m. and a memorial service at 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Madison. Interment will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery under the direction of Joe P. Burns Funeral Home, of Madison.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Gideons International, as well as the First Baptist Church, of Madison.