AUGUSTA – Etta Laura Beal Kelley went to be with her Savior, March 10, 2010. She was also known to many as “Nana” or “Aunt Etta.” Etta was born Nov. 1, 1916, on Beals Island, the daughter of George F. and Emma S. (Woodward) Beal. Etta was a loving wife of 74 years to the late Shirley G. Kelley, who died in March 2009, at age 96. Mrs. Kelly was a wonderful and inspirational mother to her three children, the late Betty Lou (Kelley) Merchant, Arnold L. Kelley of West Gardiner and his deceased wife, Wilma Kelley, and Ardis M. Tibbetts and her husband, Bill, both of Augusta. She was a beloved Nana, Nana K to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as special aunt, daughter and friend to many. Most of all, she was a child of God. Mrs. Kelley did the best to be sure her children knew God, and she attended Advent Christian Church, Beals, all through her life, until age 88 when she moved to Augusta with her daughter, Ardis and husband, Bill. She then attended Chelsea Advent Christian Church, where she made many new friends. For as long as she was able, Etta baked pies for the men’s fellowship and the married couples group of her church. She was known for having the best chocolate or banana cream pies. Her island family and friends would stop by the homestead for a coffee, a slice of pie and great conversation. She will be sadly missed by all who knew her. Etta enjoyed life and tried to make life easier for everyone she new. Her philosophy was others first, whether it was watching children for family, hanging out laundry for her Aunt Lizzie Beal or even washing floors and doing laundry for her mother. Etta also found time to work outside of the home. She worked in the sardine and blueberry factories for many years. She was a very special Mom. One of our favorite memories as children was sitting by the old oil stove with the oven door open for extra heat and being read to by her. Our mom passed on her love of reading books and the enjoyment it brought. Etta was educated in the Beals school system and was on the high school basketball team. She was also a great swimmer. Etta was predeceased by her parents; and siblings, Eldon Beal, Eli Beal, Kathleen (Beal) Newcomb, Wandell Beal, Arnold Beal, Alfreda (Beal) Libby, Clinton Buddy Beal and Ernestine (Beal) Alley; and one special friend that was as close as a sister could be, Louisa Crowley. Etta leaves behind a sister, Iona (Beal) Woodward of Jonesport; a granddaughter, Laurie (Alley) Dyer and her husband, Matthew and their three children, Joshua and Kayla Tobias, of West Gardiner and Pfc. Zachary Tobias, U.S. Army, of Savannah, Ga.; grandsons, Audwin Merchant and wife, Susie and their five children, Anthony, Kaitlin, Matthew, Stephen and Kirsten Betty Lou, of Dallas, David Merchant and his daughter, Angel Richard, of Marietta, Ga., and Jesse Merchant Jr. and wife, Laura and their three children, Alisha, Jessica and Ashley, of Marietta, Ga.; son-in-law, Jesse Merchant Sr. and his wife, Bettina, of Jonesport; many nephews and nieces, two of whom were very close, Billy Harden and the Rev. George Woodward; and a special cousin, Ardis Burtt of Pembroke, Mass. Visiting hours will be held 4-7 p.m. Saturday, March 13, at Staples Funeral Home, 53 Brunswick Ave., Gardiner. A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Sunday at Chelsea Advent Christian Church with the Rev. George L. Woodward of Beals and Pastor David York of Chelsea officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Beals Advent Christian Church, care of Donna Whitaker, 65 Longwood Ave., Augusta, ME 04330.
ETTA LAURA BEAL KELLEY
