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There is even more sad news today.

Bev Peebles Kelly, Class of June 1942, passed away on Thursday, January 8, 2009 in Newport News just four days following her 83rd birthday.

She was the niece of beloved NNHS faculty member

Miss Amanda Gray (05 Sept 1906 - 15 Jan 1991).

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Dear Lee, Bert and families:
Our deepest sympathies to you all. Bev was a wonderful neighbor and friend....and she and your Dad lived good and memorable lives for you and many others.

—Joan & Bob Upshaw, Cutler Bay, Florida

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Dear Lee and Bert,
I was saddened to receive Bert's call informing me of your Mother's passing. I have such wonderful memories of our teenage years and the many happy times we spent at the Kelly house (especially the basement). Your Mother was always so kind and made us feel welcome. She was a very special lady whom I know you will miss.
My deepest condolences to both of you and your families.
Jimmy

—James Lee, Dallas, Texas

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Dear Lee & Bert,
How deeply saddened I am to be losing such a dear friend and wonderful person. Bev meant so much to me and my family and was dearly loved by all. She was very special in many ways and I shall always cherish the fun times we had together. You all were so very fortunate to have two great parents. Our love and thoughts are with you and your family,
Nancy Lee Huffman Grey, Jacksonville, Florida

—Nancy Lee Grey, Jacksonville, Florida

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Dear Bert and Lee,
My Aunt Gwen called me today with the news. Bev and my mom Vivian Lee Cumming Groome were very much like sisters, and when my mother died in 2007, your mother was such a comfort to me chatting on the phone with me remembering the good times and easing my loss which she felt too. I will miss your dear Mom and know she and your Dad are reunited now and for always. My most sincere sympathy to you both and your families. I will always cherish my memories of Bev.
Debby Groome Wilkerson

—Debby Wilkerson, Chesterfield, Virginia Contact Me

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Dear Bert and Lee,
I just received the news of your mom's passing. She was such a very wonderful and kind person to me and I will always remember and cherish those thoughts. I express my condolence to both of you and your family. I know that she and Mr. Herb are together forever now. They are both in my prayers.
Buddy Link

—Acree Link, Jr., Newport News, Virginia

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Dear Bert and Lee: We are very sorry to hear about your mother's passing. She was a very dear person. You and your families are in our hearts and prayers. Love,

—Bill and Debbie Vaccarelli and staff, Danny's Deli, Newport News, Virginia Contact Me

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Bert, my heart goes out to you and your family. May all the great memories carry you through this sad time.

—Carol Butler, Norfolk, Virginia

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Bill and I would like to express our condolences to all the family on the death of Bev.
She was a great lady and we know how she will be missed by all of you.
Anne Hart

—Anne Hart

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Dear Lee and Bert-

Gay just called with the news that your Mom has passed. I am so sorry for your loss. "Aunt" Bev was a constant source of love and support for me and some of the happiest times of my childhood were spent with her and in your home on Jacobs Lane. Looking at her shells in the basement, swinging on the swing between the cedar trees, riding in her wagon to the grocery store. I'm looking now at a picture of me in her garden-she had taken me to have my hair done before my mom came home from the hospital. My hair was probably 4 inches high! I looked like me with your Mom's hair. When I'm able I will plant a shrub at the farm in memory of Aunt Bev. She was an awesome woman and she will be missed.

Love,

Kelly

—Kelly Carpenter, Greensboro, North Carolina Contact Me

Monday, January 12, 2009

Dear Bert and Lee,
We are saddened for the loss of your mother and a great friend. She will be missed by all of us and as we reflect on the past years of all of the wonderful times we had together. Bev will be surely missed, but we know that she is with Herb now forever. We express our condolences and are in our prayers.

Acree and Barbara

—Acree and Barbara Link, Newport News, Virginia

Monday, January 12, 2009

My heart and prayers are with you. She has only changed her address to reunite with Mr.Kelly. Regards, Keeler Abbitt

—Keeler Abbitt, Newport News, Virginia

Monday, January 12, 2009

Dear Bert and Lee,
It is with great sadness that John and I learned about the loss of your mother. She truly was a grand lady and one who gave much love to all around her. I know you will miss her greatly as will all the creatures and flora and fauna that she nurtured.
Our love to you both.

Jane and John Maddux

—Jane Maddux, Charlottesville, Virginia

Monday, January 12, 2009

Miss Peebles (as I knew her) was my second grade teacher. How I loved her! She made school a FUN place to be. One of my most memorable outside activities with her was an Easter egg hunt she had for us at a relatives home on the Boulevard in Hampton. All of the entertainment she provided for us was earned through achieving whatever she wanted us to learn. I remember that when I got to third grade I was rather bored the first half year because I had already learned most of what I was taught. I have never forgotten her and have always counted her as one of my best teachers ever. She taught me the beauty of being an avid reader which I am to this day.

My thoughts and prayers are with her family at this sad time. I'm sure your memories of her will be beautiful.

Melissa Farster Sharpley
Raleigh, NC

—Melissa Sharpley, Raleigh, North Carolina Contact Me

Our sincerest condolences are extended to Mrs. Kelly's family and friends at this time.

Y'all take good care of each other! TYPHOONS FOREVER! We'll Always Have Buckroe!

Carol Buckley Harty
219 Four Ply Lane
Fayetteville, NC 29311-9305
910-488-9408
618-530-9092

The words are a paraphrase of "Canticle of the Sun" by Saint Francis of Assisi (1181/1182 – 03 Oct 1226), circa 1225
Written shortly before his death, it was not published for almost 400 years.
Translated to English by William H. Draper (19 Dec 1855 - 09 Aug 1933), it first appeared in the Public School Hymn Book, 1919.

Music: "Lasst Uns Erfreuen", Ausserlesene Catholische Geistliche Kirchengesäng (Köln, Germany: Peter von Brachel, 1623)
Harmony by Ralph Vaughan Williams (12 Oct 1872 - 26 Aug 1958) in The English Hymnal (London: Oxford University Press, 1906), number 519

All creatures of our God and King,
lift up your voices, let us sing:
Alleluia, alleluia!
Thou burning sun with golden beams,
thou silver moon that gently gleams,
Refrain:
O praise him, O praise him,
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Thou rushing wind that art so strong,
ye clouds that sail in heaven along,
O praise him, Alleluia!
Thou rising morn, in praise rejoice,
ye lights of evening, find a voice, (R)

Thou flowing water, pure and clear,
make music for thy Lord to hear,
Alleluia, alleluia!
Thou fire so masterful and bright,
that givest man both warmth and light, (R)

Dear mother earth, who day by day
unfoldest blessings on our way,
O praise him, Alleluia!
The flowers and fruits that in thee grow,
let them his glory also show: (R)

And all ye men of tender heart,
forgiving others, take your part,
O sing ye Alleluia!
Ye who long pain and sorrow bear,
praise God and on him cast your care: (R)

And thou, most kind and gentle death,
waiting to hush our latest breath,
O praise him, Alleluia!
Thou leadest home the child of God,
and Christ our Lord the way hath trod: (R)

Let all things their Creator bless,
and worship him in humbleness,
O praise him, Alleluia!
Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,
and praise the Spirit, Three in One: (R)

			NEWPORT NEWS - Beverly Elizabeth Peebles Kelly was born on Jan. 4, 1926, the oldest of four children. She passed away early Thursday morning, Jan. 8, 2009, with her children at her side. She was raised on Shallow Marsh Farm in Tabb, Va. She graduated from Newport News High School and Farmville State Teachers College, now Longwood University. In 1948, Bev married Herbert Valentine Kelly. At the time of his death in 2007, they had been married 59 years. In 1954, on a piece of land from Jacobs Farm, Bev and Herb built their home, where they raised their children and entertained many friends.


Over the years, Bev created a beautiful garden that included blossoming shrubs, flowering trees, and a rose garden created for Herb. She spent more savings on her birds in the garden, her sanctuary, than on herself and inspired that appreciation in her family as well. As a shell collector, bird watcher, and lover of all God's creatures, she inspired a childlike exuberance in everyone around her. Bev's interests include her community, The Hampton Roads Junior League, The Hampton Roads Garden Club, and she was a lifelong supporter and volunteer of the Virginia Living Museum. With her love of church and family, she spent over 50 years as a member of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 59 years, Herbert V. Kelly; her parents, Dora Lee Peebles and Hubert Kenneth Peebles; and aunt, Amanda (Chubby) Gray. She is survived by her son, Herbert V. (Bert) Kelly Jr., and wife, Martha; daughter, Lee Kelly Bowditch and husband, Phil; four grandchildren, Philip Gray Bowditch, Herbert Valentine (Tripp) Kelly III, Elizabeth Kelly Bowditch and William Brimer Kelly; sister, Janet P. Host; and brothers, David L. Peebles and H. Kenneth Peebles; many nieces and nephews. The family would like to express their gratitude to Shirley, Robert, Wayne, Janet, Ethel, and the physicians and staff in the Intensive Care Unit of Riverside Regional Medical Center. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 12, 2009, at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 372 Hiden Boulevard, with reception to follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family request contributions be made to St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 372 Hiden Boulevard, Newport News, VA 23606, or the Virginia Living Museum, 524 J. Clyde Morris Boulevard, Newport News, VA 23601. Peninsula Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks. Published in the Daily Press from 1/10/2009 - 1/12/2009. Guest Book