Dorothy M. (Jackson) Kelly

Mrs. Dorothy M. (Jackson) Kelly, passed away at her residence in Waycross, GA on October 11, 2025.

Dorothy was born in Swainsboro, GA, to the late Paul, Sr., and Lula Jackson. She loved spending time with her family, especially cooking and baking and sharing her love through food. She spent much of her free time in her garden tending to her plants.

She met her late husband, James, Sr., in 1956 and they were married for 52 years until his passing in 2010. He and she served as deacon and deaconess at Shiloh Baptist Church in Trenton, NJ for many years before relocating to Waycross in 1996. There they joined Greater St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church where they continued serving the Lord through the ministry there. She worked at General Motors for many years helping assemble automobiles.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James Kelly Sr.; sisters, Ruby Anthony, Emma Jean Jackson; brothers, Paul Jackson, Robert Jackson; sisters-in-law, Marion Jean Jamison, Florence Mincey, brother-in-law, Artis Kelly.

She is survived by a son, James M. Kelly Jr. of Trenton, N.J.; a beautiful daughter, Kathy D. Kelly of Trenton, N.J.; one granddaughter, Giavanna Madonia (Nicholas), sisters-in-law, Mrs. Donell Jackson of Columbia, SC the Rev. Estella Lewis of Oakland, CA, Robbie L. Kelly of Jacksonville, FL, , she also leaves behind a goddaughter, Melda Grant, her adopted daughter, Judith Thompson both of Trenton, NJ, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, sorrowing friends, all of whom she loved dearly.

A homegoing celebration will be held on Friday, October 17, 2025 at Greater St. James Missionary Baptist Church in Swainsboro, GA at 1:00pm with Rev. Melvin Adams presiding, Mrs. Kelly will lie in state at the church for one hour prior to the service.

Interment will follow at the Swainsboro City Cemetery.