Thelma (Piper) Kelly

Kelly, Thelma
Thelma L. Kelly of Albuquerque went to be with the lord on the morning of Saturday, August 13, 2022 at the age of 86. She was born on Wednesday, March 11, 1936 to Leon and R.E Piper in Taylor, TX. She was married to her beloved husband Robert Kelly Jr. for 26 years before his passing. She was a devoted mother, spiritual mother, grandmother, great grandmother, cousin, aunt, and friend.

She is survived by her daughter Sandra (Brent) Johnston; 8 grandchildren - Shawntelle Mercer, Dewarn (Eva) Mercer, Marlene Mercer, Jasmine Mercer, Aaron Mercer, Brittney (Nolan) Yehling, James Johnston and Condoleezza Johnston; 2 great granddaughters - Anaiyah and Naomi Yehling; and 4 nieces and nephews - Leonard ( Zerona K) Turner, Phillip Turner, Barbara Turner, and Laddie Turner. She was preceded in death by her son Art Mercer, her sister Vernice Turner, and her husband Robert Kelly Jr.

Thelma was always dedicated to helping and caring for others. In 1975, she worked in the Home Health Care field and worked at the Kirkland Childcare Center. She retired after 18 years of service. She then ventured back into the work of childcare and worked at La Luz Early Childhood Center serving children again from ages 6 weeks - 5 years. Many of her credentials went to caring for infants and toddler (ages 6 weeks - 2 years of age). She had so much love for all the children she cared for throughout the years and touched the hearts of many who even still remember her to this day.

Mother Kelly was also a committed servant of God who exemplified “Loving God by loving her neighbors.” She was a member of New Hope Full Gospel Baptist Church for 45 years, joining in 1977. From 2002-2022 she was a faithful member of the Word and Works Ministry. She also served the New Life/New Hope ministry which has been feeding the homeless and poverty stricken families of Albuquerque for 30 years. Though a senior citizen herself, she always made time and found a way to provide transportation for fellow senior citizens who needed help getting to medical appointments, going grocery shopping, or with any other errands they needed to run. She did this without ever expecting anything in return.

Mother Kelly was a selfless person and would do whatever she could to help anyone in need. She had a giving spirit and would never expect anyone to give her anything in return. Everything she did was a work of the Lord and heart. She was very active in the greater Albuquerque Community. This was evidence by receiving the Minister's Fellowship of Albuquerque and Vicinity's Citizen Award as faithful servant at  New Hope Church in 2012.  She also was a community award winner for a national council for Negro Women and won The Salute to Black Women award in 2018.

A celebration of life will be held on Tuesday, August 23, 2022, 10:00 a.m. at New Hope Full Gospel Baptist Church, 1901 Pennsylvania St NE, 87110.

Visitation will be held Monday August 22, 2022 at 6:00 pm Strong Thorne Mortuary 1100 Coal Ave SE 87106 Albuquerque New Mexico.

Service will be held on Tuesday August 23, 2022 10:00 am at New Hope Full Gospel Baptist Church  1901 Pennsylvania St NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110.

Interment to follow at Santa Fe National Cemetery 501 N Guadalupe St, Santa Fe, NM 87501.

Daniels Family Funeral Services
1100 Coal Ave SE
Albuquerque, NM 87106
505-842-8800