Deacon Ollie Marion Kelly

Ollie Marion Johnson Dabney Kelly was born on June 13, 1930 in Newtown, King and Queen County Virginia, to Grover Johnson and Fannie Walton Johnson. She was the 7th of 13 children.On October 26, 2020, she received her wings. Ollie was educated at Lawson Training School in King and Queen County until the eleventh grade. She joined First Mt. Olive Baptist Church at an early age and accepted the Lord Jesus as her Savior. She attended Sunday School faithfully, joined the choir, was a member of the Usher Board, a missionary with the Willing Workers Ministry as well as served in the kitchen. She was united in holy matrimony with Leon Dabney on August 10, 1948 in King and Queen County Virginia. Their union was blessed with four children. Ollie was employed by Safeway Stores, Inc., as a Manager of the delicatessen and Bakery Departments until her retirement in 1993. She was also a manager with Al Rancho Restaurant for about ten years. Along with family and work, she studied, earned her certification as a Personal Care Assistant (PCA). Caring for the sick and shut-in became her passion after retirement from her first career. She relocated to Richmond, Virginia, where later in life, she joined in holy matrimony with James E. Kelly, Sr., now deceased. Mt. Tabor Baptist Church became her spiritual home in Richmond. Where, joyfully, she was a faithful servant. Her ministries included the Deaconess Board, Pastor’s Aide, Culinary Staff, Senior Choir, The Voices Choir, Ministers’ Wives Association and Birthday Ministry. She was ordained as a Deacon on Sunday, June 27, 1999. In her leisure time, she enjoyed traveling, gardening, canning, ceramics and pottery making, cooking for everyone she could, and having Tupperware and Princess House Crystal parties. Her travels took her to Canada; New York; New Orleans; Las Vegas; Seattle, Washington; New Jersey; Philadelphia; Maryland; Washington, DC and Delaware. Her favorite hymns were “Oh I Want To See Him”, “I Cried Holy” and “Precious Lord Take My Hand.” She always enjoyed church pageants, God’s Rainbow Sign, and Women of the Bible. As an amazing and dedicated mother, Ollie made provisions that kept her family going. She also extended her generosity to those in need. Being a strong woman of faith, she stood and fought through the trials and tribulations of life. Nothing ever kept her down. A wise steward of her finances, she purchased her first car, a Chevrolet. Also an astute and resourceful business woman, she made wise investments over the years. Her love for fashion and a wardrobe filled with the latest styles kept the stylish lady always looking her best – a trait she passed down to her children. Ollie had a spark which radiated her love to everyone around her. Her beautiful smile always greeted you. She loved her church family and missed attending service when her health began to decline. The Diaconate Ministry team faithfully visited and served her Holy Communion. Friends dear in her heart were Deacon Morristene Bowman and spiritual sisters, Sylvia Robinson and Doris Spell. She was beloved “Mama Ollie” to Sandra Alvarado, her loving care provider for many years. An adoring daughter of Jesus Christ, her eternal glow will always shine in our hearts. Ollie was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Robert “Billy” Johnson, Charles “Jack” Johnson and Grover Lincoln Johnson; four sisters, Elnora Taylor, Grace Thomas, Lodan Johnson and Vera Gwathney; and one daughter, Lena M. Williams. She leaves to cherish her memory children, Melvin Lee Dabney Sr., Katherine Scott (William), and Wayne Dabney; grandchildren, Melvin Dabney Jr. (Cheryl), Shannon D. Deese (Carlos), Katina D. Scott, Candice N. Scott, Kimberly Williams, Christopher Williams (Angela); one great grand, Daria J’Nicholson; one godchild, Monica Hinton; one brother, Galveston Johnson (Carolyn); four sisters, Bessie Jeter, Francis Davis, Annie L. Johnson, and Caroline Robinson (Robert); one brother-in-law, Timothy Thomas; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and dear friends.

Tributes

Deacon Ollie Marion Kelly

June 13, 1930 - October 26, 2020