SHIRLEY GILBERT KELLEY

AUGUSTA – Shirley Gilbert Kelley, born May 14, 1912, went to be with his savior March 4, 2009. The son of Annette Stanwood Peaslee and George Peaslee, he was adopted by Maurice and Myra Kelley. Mr. Kelley was predeceased by both sets of parents; a sister, Hazel Peaslee Alley and husband, Curtis; a half sister, Vinelene System Carver and husband, Glen; his adopted family, Noyes Alley and wife, Blanch, Octavia Alley Beal and husband, Nat, Lula Alley and husband, Almanda, Lawrence Kelley and wife, Hannah, and Fletcher Alley and Clayton Alley. Shirley married Etta Beal, the daughter of George and Emma Beal. They were married for 74 happy years and best of friends. They had three children, Betty Lou Kelley Merchant, who passed away Dec. 25, 1998, Arnold Leamont Kelley of West Gardiner and Ardis Marie Kelley Tibbetts and husband, William, of Augusta. Grandchildren are Audwin Merchant and wife, Susie, and their five children, Anthony, Kaitlin, Matthew, Stephen and Kristin Bettylou, all of Dallas, Ga.; David Merchant and daughter, Angel Richards of Marietta, Ga.; Jesse Merchant and wife, Laura, and their three daughters, Alisha, Jessica and Ashley of Marietta, Ga.; Laurie Alley Dyer and husband, Matthew, and their family, Joshua Tobias and Kayla Tobias of West Gardiner, Pfc. Zachary Tobias, U.S. Army Fort Benning, Ga., and Richard Dyer and Nichole Dyer of Unity. He also leaves son-in-law, Jessie Merchant Sr. and wife, Bettina, of Beals; and daughter-in-law, Wilma Kelley, who passed away in 1998, wife of Arnold Kelley. Mr. Kelley was very close to his wife’s family, George and Emma Beal and their children, Clinton “Buddy” Beal, Arnold Beal, Alfreda Beal Libby and Ernestine Beal Alley, who are all deceased, leaving his wife, Etta and her sister, Iona Beal Woodward, as the sole survivors. In addition, he leaves behind three close nephews, Ray and Dana Beal and George Woodward; and his special neighbor, Arden Alley. Uncle Shirl will be remembered by all those that had the pleasure of meeting him, enjoying his good humor, listening to him sing in the church choir or if you were fortunate, you had some of his lobster stew and or clam chowder. Most of all, he will be remembered for the love and joy he had for his family. He will be sadly missed. Shirley was a lobster and fisherman for 50-plus years. He also was part owner in three wiers. For many years Shirley worked fishing for sardines. He and his wife lived on Beals Island all of their lives until 2005 when thy relocated to Augusta to live with their daughter and son-in-law. Shirley attended Beals schools and was a member and deacon of Beals Advent Christian Church. For the past four years he has attended Chelsea Advent Christian Church with his family. His passion was sports. He especially enjoyed the Boston Red Sox, the Boston Celtics and in recent years the New England Patriots. His hobbies included watching the birds around the feeders, flower gardens, woodworking and reading his bible. Visiting hours will be held 4-7 p.m. Saturday, March 7, at Staples Funeral Home, 53 Brunswick Ave., Gardiner. Services will be held 1:30 p.m. Sunday, March 8, at Chelsea Adventist Church performed by the Rev. George L. Wooward and Pastor David York. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Beals Advent Christian Church, Beals, ME 04611 or Chelsea Advent Christian Church, care of Donna Whitaker, 65 Longwood Ave., Augusta, ME 04330.