Wilma S. Kelly

WILMA VERDINE STROMAN KELLY, a woman with great dignity and pride, fashion and style and always a beautiful smile, loved life and lived it to the fullest. On March 29, 2013 she transitioned peacefully into glory. Wilma, daughter of the late Samuel Stroman and Mattie Perry Stroman, was born on May 14, 1926 in Jacksonville, Florida. She was the oldest girl of now deceased four silblings, Samuel Stroman Jr., Willie Cleveland Stroman, Walter Stroman and Gladys Stroman Harrris. She grew up a devoted Baptist, belonging to Gethsemane Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. from 1930- 1949. In 1949, she was baptized Catholic and in 1952 joined the Church of Saint Cecilia in Baltimore, Maryland. She received her formal education in Washington, D.C. public schools and graduated with honors from Cardozo High School in 1945. Wilma was an excellent typist. This was demonstrated by a first place finish in the Cortez Peter’s Typing Contest. Wilma attended Howard University for two years as a Finance major. During this juncture, she was afforded a civil service career opportunity. In 1945, Wilma began a tenure of employment with the United States Army Corps of Engineers in Baltimore, Maryland. Wilma was the first African- American woman selected to be a supervisor in the Finance Department. In her capacity as supervisor, Wilma implemented several cost effective programs that led to substantial savings for the Army’s Department of Corps of Engineers. Upon her retirement of forty years in 1985, Wilma was recognized by the United States Department of the Army with several citations. She was the recipient of the Department of the Army Commanders Award to Civil Service, the Department of the Army Certificate of Appreciation Award and the Department of the Army Certificate of Retirement Award. On September 11, 1949, Wilma was united in Holy Matrimony to Vernon A. Kelly of Baltimore, Maryland. Two children were born from this union, Janet Cecilia Kelly Stansbury and Kevin Jerome Kelly. Wilma and Vernon were married sixty wonderful years until his passing on December 13, 2009. During their sixty years of marriage, they enjoyed a rich and full life. They enjoyed traveling, taking their young family on yearly vacations to Wildwood, NJ, Atlantic City and other destinations throughout the United States and Canada. Wilma was extremely active during her retirement and remained loyal in service to her Church as a participating member of the Ladies of Charity and the Ladies Guild. Additionally, as a retiree, Wilma visited New Orleans, Arizona, The Grand Canyon, New Mexico, Georgia, Tennessee, California, Utah and Texas. Wilma also cruised to the Bahamas and Bermuda. One of her standout memories was a trip to Rome, Italy where she met Pope John Paul II

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Wilma S. Kelly

May 14, 1926 - March 29, 2013