Obituary of Phyllis Elaine Kelly

Phyllis Elaine Kelly was born on Independence Day, July 4, 1949, in the Bronx, New York. An absolute firecracker, Phyllis was the third child of Howard Jones, an Associate Evangelist with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, and Wanda Jones, an educator who taught students with mental disabilities. She was a sibling to Cheryl, Gail, David, and Lisa. As a child, Phyllis gave her heart to Christ and served in various ministries throughout her life. Phyllis was fortunate to live on two continents: America and Africa. While living in Liberia, West Africa, she and her family served as missionaries. During that time, her parents produced, "Sing Time for Boys and Girls," a broadcast on Eternal Love Winning Africa (ELWA). Her mom wrote the script for the weekly program and had her daughters read Biblical stories and sing. Growing up, Phyllis spent many afternoons with her sisters around the piano, learning three-part harmony from their mother. Their professional singing career eventually began as The Jones Sisters Trio (Trio), and they recorded five sacred albums together. The Trio was invited to sing at a Billy Graham crusade in Liberia, West Africa, and at the Los Angeles California Coliseum in front of 80,000 people. In addition, Phyllis and her sister Gail joined "The Soul Concern," a Christian singing group sponsored by Youth for Christ International. The group sang together for one year and released an album, "Soul Concern," in 1971. Phyllis graduated from Oberlin High School in Oberlin, Ohio and then attended Nyack College in Nyack, New York. She later earned her wings as a Delta Airlines flight attendant and worked there for five years while based in Chicago, Illinois. Love was soon to come. Phyllis met Pat Kelly, an outfielder with the Baltimore Orioles, through Andre Thornton, a Cleveland Indians first baseman at a July 4th barbecue at his home. Andre eventually married Phyllis's sister Gail. Sparks flew between Phyllis and Pat, and on February 10, 1979, they were married and made their home in Timonium, Maryland. The couple welcomed their only child — the joy and pride of their lives — April Marie Kelly, born on April 13, 1986. Pat and Phyllis founded Life Line Ministries, a non-denominational evangelistic ministry, after Pat retired from baseball. While Pat preached at church meetings nationwide, Phyllis volunteered with Baltimore County's Department of Aging and at April's elementary and middle schools. She was also a member of the PTA. Additionally, Phyllis and Pat mentored two teenage boys in foster care for many years. The Kelly family were members of Evangelical Baptist Church, Grace Bible Fellowship Church, and Calvary Baptist Church. At Grace, Phyllis directed the children's Christmas program and, while at Calvary, sang in the choir. As a family, Phyllis, Pat, and April enjoyed playing board games, taking walks, and their annual vacations together. During her alone time, Phyllis loved to solve crossword puzzles, and word searches, plant tulips yearly, and was an avid gardener. She loved reading magazines, listening to gospel and R&B music, and wearing her favorite color — red. Pat and Phyllis were married for 26 years before Pat's untimely death in October 2005. Phyllis then moved to Oberlin, Ohio, and while there attended Christian Missionary Alliance Church, her parent's home church. Later she left Oberlin and moved to Lynchburg, Virginia, in 2013, to reside with the Bolt family after April and Doncel's marriage (2012) and completion of their post-secondary education (2012 & 2013 respectively) at Liberty University. Following their calling to return to Doncel's hometown of South Los Angeles/Long Beach, California, to start a family surrounded by grandparents and siblings, Phyllis resided with the Bolt family until her gradual decline in health required care at Bixby Knolls Towers, and Vista Del Mar Senior Living, both located in Long Beach, CA. While there, she enjoyed the friendship and the loving attention led by her daughter April. Ever the fighter, Phyllis defeated COVID-19 three times during the height and span of the pandemic while already beset by dementia and Alzheimer's disease. During what would be Phyllis's final months this side of eternity, she moved to Houston, Texas, where she spent her last months comforted by her family and the broader community of caregivers. After a long illness, Phyllis passed away on February 24, 2023, and went on to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Her husband, H. Patrick Kelly, her parents, Howard and Wanda Jones, and her brother H. David Jones, preceded her in death. She leaves behind her daughter, April, and son-in-love, Doncel Bolt; three grandchildren, Alaiya, Amirah, and Adon; and sisters, Cheryl Sanders, Gail Thornton, and Lisa McGloiry. She will be deeply missed by her extended family and friends, who loved her dearly. A viewing for Mrs. Phyllis Elaine Kelly will be held on Wednesday, March 22, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Vaughn Greene Funeral Services, 5151 Baltimore National Pike, Baltimore, MD 21229. On Thursday, March 23, 2023, a homegoing celebration will be held at the Vaughn Greene Chapel at West, 5151 Baltimore National Pike, where the family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. with services to follow. The interment services will be held at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens where Mrs. Kelly will be laid to rest with her late husband, Mr. H. Patrick Kelly.