Carrie M. Kelly 1942-2025

Carrie, better known as “Madge,” was born Sept. 12, 1942, in Robinson Creek, Kentucky, a daughter of Ellis and Clittie Jean Newsome Damron.

At only 12 years old, Madge met the love of her life, Zaid Kelly. They married Nov. 19, 1959, celebrating 65 wonderful years of marriage. She often exclaimed with a tender heart, “I have loved you since the seventh grade.” Together, Madge and Zaid made a multitude of memories — first in Kentucky for much of their lives, and then making a life for themselves in Ohio.

Madge was a wonderful cook and homemaker. She also devoted many years of her life to housekeeping.

She was a member of Alliance Free Will Baptist Church.

Madge loved to sing gospel music, to visit with loved ones, paint beautiful scenes and bowl — she was a proud member of the 600 club — go to car races, fish with her makeshift stick fishing pole, watch her kids play sports (always promising $5 for every home run), garden and turn her yard into her own beautiful oasis every summer. Madge got great joy from serving others in any way she could from cooking big Saturday and Sunday breakfasts for friends and family, to hand-delivering potato salad, coleslaw, fried green tomatoes, cornbread and banana pudding.

Madge cared for everyone around her, oftentimes putting other’s needs above her own. She enjoyed going to the flea market for fresh flowers, fruits and vegetables, and anything she thought may make her grandchildren smile, often sending them cards in the mail with a few dollars of “shopping money.”

Madge adored her grandchildren. When they were born, she showed up relentlessly with homemade food and jumped right in to do anything she saw needed doing, from sweeping the floors to washing the dishes. Being a grandmother came naturally to her. She loved to let them watch cartoons and eat ice cream in her bed. She also enjoyed watching them play outside and ride their four-wheelers and “motorcycles.”

She was and will forever be a reminder to slow down and take time to show love to those around you. Madge looked for the good in everyone; a reminder that we also should do more of the same. She was motherly to all and a true beacon of peace and love.

She loved her family immensely and would often state, “I don’t have much, but I’m the richest person in the world.”

She will be fondly remembered and sadly missed by her family: her husband, Zaid M. Kelly; her children, Ronald D. (Brittany) Bennett, Joshua M. (Rachel) Kelly and Brianna R. (Joshua) Glaser, all of Hubbard; and three grandchildren, Alex Bennett, Osyas Glaser and Clara Kelly.

She also leaves her siblings, John (Myra) Damron of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, James (Peggy) Damron of Alton, Illinois, and Georgia (Bill) Middlestead of Hubbard.

She also leaves many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Beside her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Ellis Damron; and sisters, Mary Rebar, Bertha Hylton and Molly Henry.

There will be services 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, with calling hours 10 to 11 a.m., at Stewart-Kyle Funeral Home.

Madge will be laid to rest in Pineview Memorial Park in Warren.

Family and friends are invited to visit the funeral home’s website at www.stewart-kyle.com to share memories and condolences.

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