Mrs. Sarah Taylor Kelly

The Life Legacy of Sarah Lucille Taylor Kelly “In my Father's house there are many mansions, if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you, and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto Myself that where I am there ye may be also.” John 14: 2-3 KJV Sarah Lucille Taylor Kelly was born in Sumter County, South Carolina on Tuesday, February 22, 1927, to the parentage of Mr. Edwin Taylor and Mrs. Rhodia Maple Taylor, who preceded her in death. She was the fourth of fourteen siblings born to this union ten who preceded her in death. Sarah Lucille Taylor Kelly leaves behind a devoted husband of seventy-three years, Clifton Kelly; four children, Rudine Janiece K Wynn, (Herbert, dec) Macon, GA, Philamenia La-Dena Kelly Rivers (Clyde), Atlanta, GA, Taft Ronald Kelly and Clayton Blouvier Kelly both of Columbia, SC; an adopted daughter, Barbara Ann Kelly, who preceded her in death; grandchildren, Taft Ronald Kelly II, Haymarket, VA, Tiffany Leigh Rivers, Atlanta, GA, Daryan Broderick Kelly, West Columbia, SC and Herbert Joe Wynn III “Herbie”, Macon, GA; an adopted granddaughter, Towangia Carswell, Macon, GA; three living siblings, Mr. Ernest Taylor, Berkley, CA, Mrs. Elizabeth Taylor Hogan, Atlanta, GA, and Mrs. Florence Taylor Young, Oakland, CA; one son-in-law; four sisters-in-law; four brothers-in-law; and a host of loving and faithful nieces and nephews. Sarah started her early working career as a 'master seamstress'. After becoming a mother, she devoted her time to raising her children while also working on the family's farm. “Sarah Lucille", affectionally referred to by her children, elected to go to work after the children were older. She was employed as a civil service worker at Shaw Air Force Base, Sumter, SC and Campbell Soup Company, as a quality-control employee. After moving to Columbia, SC, she was employed by Anchor Continental and worked part-time for the State of South Carolina. Mrs. Kelly’s mother taught all of her eleven girls at an early age how to sew. Sarah’s background and work experience allowed her not only to sew for others, but for herself and her two daughters, Rudine and Philamenia. She would occasionally make a boy's vest and newsboy cap for her oldest son, Taft Kelly. She designed and made her own clothes often deviating from the pattern and adding her own unique designs or modification. She showcased ‘elegance and style’ in each dress or suit she designed and sewed. Sarah "Lucille" made a Singer Sewing machine with the foot petal “holla" - she created designs to sew on bath and hand towels to give as Christmas gifts to family members. Other past favorites of Sarah included shopping at thrift stores, purchasing antique furniture and having it refurbished or reupholstered. Landscaping the front, back, and sides of the house was enjoyable for her. She had a 'green thumb' for plants. Her favorite outdoor plants were Verbenas, and indoor plant the Christmas Cactus. She would put it under the bed at a certain time of the year and pull it out maybe around late September and by Christmas, they had beautiful hot-pink hues. Mrs. Kelly had many talents and cooking was at the top of the list. She made the best potato and coconut pies in the state of South Carolina. Her homemade biscuits were to “die for" and you could not eat just one or two. Visiting relatives from the East-West-North-South, would always make it a point to stop by and get some of Sarah's homemade biscuits, potato pies and coconut pies. Mrs. Kelly was a very generous and compassionate person. She would give you her all and always identified who needed her generosity. Her love for children was also at the top of the list and she made sure she took time to speak to them lovingly, gently, smiling and holding their hands. Mrs. Kelly attended Central Baptist Church in Columbia, SC. She sang in the Jubilee choir and served as their treasurer. She would sing out loudly around the house and joked sometimes that she always wanted to be a singer. That wish and dream came true when she was asked to sing and lead a solo one Sunday. OH BOY!! She rocked and rolled with it. Mrs. Kelly had a lot of 'Old Sayings'. When asked “How are you doing?” she would say with MUCH emphasis: Sometimes UP! Sometimes DOWN! Sometimes almost to the GROUND! Rest in Peace "our" Princess (Hebrew meaning for Sarah) You are now...... FOREVER UP

Mrs. Sarah Taylor Kelly

February 22, 1927 - January 11, 2024