Jessie Emeritus

Supervisor Emeritus Jessie Allean Harris Kelly was born in Bogalusa, Louisiana on August 6, 1928, to her loving parents, Alice Jackson Harris and Jesse Harris. She was the second of six children born to this union; three brothers, Ezekiel, Eddie, Jerry Charles and two sisters, Hazel Drucilla and Josie Mae. As a child, Jessie loved fishing on the boat with her brothers, Zeke and Eddie. When her mother passed away when she was very young, she assumed the mother role to her younger siblings. She received her formal education in Bogalusa, LA, graduating from Central Memorial High School in 1948. Shortly after graduation, she met the love of her life; a handsome young man named Leon Kelly, who had been recently discharged from the United States Army. This relationship was planned by Mother Booker, who was the church mother. They were married in front of her father's grocery store on September 12, 1948. They agreed to have six children. They were blessed with three girls and three boys: Alice, Ruth, Patricia, Leon, Jr, Kenneth, and Alphonso. She was later blessed with grandchildren and great children, who all were an additional source of joy and pride in her life. They all shared many happy and precious moments together. Elder Leon Kelly, Sr. preceded her in death in March of 2010, The family planned to relocate to Portland, Oregon and arrived in Denver, Colorado in 1952, and decided to make Denver their home. Jessie classified herself as being the "Cause of every Un-cause Cause", which meant the she was the one who would affect every decision they would make. They both belonged to the same church. They were taught that the man was the head. They did a lot of things jointly but later in life, she decided that she was the neck that turned the head. Jessie A. Kelly went to college to further her education. She became an Educator for the Denver Public School District and later retired from DPS. She was the Pastor's Wife and Church Mother for Harris Temple Church Of God In Christ in Louisiana and Macedonia C.O.G.I.C. and Maranatha Church of God In Christ in Colorado. She attended the Family Bible Institute in Denver, Colorado and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biblical Studies. She truly believed in the power of prayer and enjoyed being on the battlefield for the Lord; spreading His good news to anyone she came in contact with. Jessie was appointed as the Church of God In Christ Jurisdictional Supervisor for the State of Wyoming Women's Department under the pastoral leadership of Bishop A.W. Martin. She held the position for a number of years and was eventually given the title Supervisor Emeritus. She enjoyed her journey working as a soldier in the army of the Lord. She loved to sing. Three of her favorite songs were, "I'm A Soldier In the Army of the Lord"; "Don't Let the Devil Ride" and "This Train is Bound For Glory, This Train". In her free time, Jessie enjoyed going to church, reading, cooking, being a mentor to children, and spending time with her family, especially her sibling reminiscing about days past and gone. She was an obedient daughter, a beautiful wise lady, she was determined, steadfast, a righteous wife, and loving mother, who enjoyed the time she shared with her family and friends.She is preceded in death by her parents, Jesse and Alice Harris; all her siblings, Ezekiel Harris, Eddie Harris, Sr., Hazel Drucilla Harris, Josie Mae Martinnillie, and Jerry Charles Harris, Sr.; a grandson, Clarence Wesley Blaine, Jr.; and great grandson, Leonartist Barack Eledia Kashaka. Supervisor Emeritus Jessie A. Kelly departed this life to the embrace of the Lord on October 31, 2016, in Denver, Colorado. Those left to cherish her memory include her six children. Alice Marie Mitchell, Ruth Mae (Imani) Kashaka, Rev. Leon H. (Kim) Kelly, Jr., Patricia Ann Fontenot, Kenneth Ray Kelly, Sr., and Alphonso Omega (Debbie) Kelly, Sr.; her grandchildren, Simonique, Gyasi, Theo, Kenyatta, Omari, Ricky, Yvonne, Bobby, Geoffrey, Alexandria, Cody, Clorissa (Louis), Stephanie, Kenneth, Jr., Alphonso, Jr., Edryce, Jacob, Walla and Day; her great grandchildren, Matthew, Deja, Tavonne, Enjoli, McKenzie, Khairah, Kimani, Andrea, Alani, Akashi, Kirsten, Olivia and Kacie; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, other relatives; her church family, and many, many, friends.

Funeral Home: Pipkin Braswell Funerals and Cremation - 2050 Uinta Street, Denver, Colorado
Visitation: 11/16/2016 at 3:00 PM - Maranatha Church of God in Christ - 2937 Fillmore Street, Denver, CO
Service: 11/17/2016 at 11:00 AM Supervisor Emeritus Kelly will lie in state from 10am to 11am Odom Memorial Church of God in Christ - 3370 Ivy Street, Denver, CO
Cemetery: 11/17/2016 at 2:30 PM - Fort Logan National Cemetery - 4400 W. Kenyon Ave., Denver, CO
Family Gathering: 11/17/2016 - Following interment... Pipkin Braswell Reception Center - 2428 Ogden Street, Denver, CO