Wilma LYLES^[1]

1937 - 2011  (73 years)

• Name	Wilma LYLES  [2, 3, 4, 5]
  Birth	24 May 1937	Lee County, South Carolina   [3]
  Gender	Female
  HIST	Lee Republican Party chairwoman remembered for contributions, wit PrintWilma Kelley, center, with her siblings Willemenia, Charles, Ray and Naomi in 2009. Kelley died Monday of natural causes. Posted: Thursday, March 31, 2011 6:00 am | Updated: 10:46 pm, Wed Mar 30, 2011. By R. DARREN PRICE dprice@theitem.com BISHOPVILLE - Janice Kahaly often catches herself uttering things her mother would say. "I call them 'Wilmaisms'," she said. "I just had something happen last week where I said one." Kahaly, of Anderson, said her mother, Wilma Kelley, always had a dry, witty sense of humor that was different from others. She couldn't think of any "Wilmaisms" off hand but said those close to her knew one when they were uttered. Kelley, 73, died Monday of natural causes at her home in Bishopville. Born on May 24, 1937, Kelley was known in the county not just for her wit. She was the chairwoman of the Lee County Republican Party in the 1990s. She was also involved with the state GOP. She also helped in gubernatorial campaigns for former Govs. Carroll Campbell and David Beasley. Current county GOP chairman Robert Peeples said the party will miss her. "She was very involved and knowledgeable," Peeples said. "We miss her and certainly appreciated having her." Kahaly said her contributions were so great that Beasley sent the family a message after Kelley's death. "She was such a colorful and wonderful South Carolina lady," Beasley said via Facebook message. "We will miss her." Kelley also worked in the cotton industry for several years, starting in the 1960s. Peeples said she served on the Lee County Cotton Museum's board with him and was a great asset to the industry. Her husband, Ray, said in her time employed at the Bishopville cotton gin, she worked hard for farmers. "Her love of the cotton-gin industry was amazing," he said. "She was always looking out for the farmers." Kelley was also an active member at St. Matthew United Methodist Church in Bishopville and played organ for services for 50 years. Her love of music spread through the family: Kahaly said her mother inspired her to learn to play the piano, and both of her children play instruments, too. "Politics and music," she said. "Those were the things she inspired her family with." Kahaly said more than just politics and music, her mother was a great person. She was "one of a kind," she said, and was always there for her family. Kenneth, her brother, said she was always someone you could go to, someone who would always put others in front of herself. When asked what they will remember the most, both couldn't think of a specific story, but Kahaly slipped in what might be a "Wilmaism." "We could draw a blank or write a novel about her," she said. - R. Darren Price Posted in Local news, News on Thursday, March 31, 2011 Wilma L. Kelley BISHOPVILLE - Wilma Lyles Kelley of Bishopville died Monday, March 28, 2011, at McLeod Regional Medical Center in Florence. She was 73. Born in Lee County, she was a daughter of the late Willie Watson Lyles and the late Hannie L. Lyles. She was a member of St. Matthew United Methodist Church where she was the organist for 50 years. She was a former chairwoman of the Lee County Republican Party and retired as a secretary in the cotton ginning industry. She will be remembered for her love of her church, her family, her work and politics. She is survived by her loving husband of 53 years, Ray A. Kelley of the home; a daughter, Janice Kahaly (Greg) of Anderson; sons, Kenneth Kelley and Todd Kelley (Cynthia), both of Bishopville; grandsons, Alan and Will Kahaly of Anderson, and Scott and Dustin Kelley of Bishopville; sister, Naomi Burress, of Sumter; brothers, Charles Lyles of Hartsville, and Ray Lyles of Sumter; brother-in-law, Norwood Hatfield of Bishopville; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by brothers, R.W. Lyles, Edgar Lyles and Leo Lyles; a sister, Wilhelmenia Galloway; and a sister-in-law, Elga Rhea Hatfield. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Matthew United Methodist Church with the Rev. Marie Ray and the Rev. Barbee Parsons officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Hancock-Elmore-Hill Funeral Home and other times at 2915 Bethune Highway. Memorials may be made to St. Matthew United Methodist Church, 2114 Stokes Bridge Road West, Bishopville, SC 29010. Hancock-Elmore-Hill Funeral Home of Bishopville is in charge of arrangements. Posted in Obituaries on Wednesday, March 30, 2011  [3, 4]
  _UID	B1942B1198F04FD28FA03502EC69BC5F00BD
  Death	28 Mar 2011	McLeod Regional Medical Center, Florence, Florence County, South Carolina   [3]
  Burial	1 Apr 2011	St. Matthew United Methodist Church Cemetery, 2114 Stokes Bridge Road West, Bishopville, South Carolina   [4]
  	Hancock-Elmore-Hill Funeral Home, Bishopville, South Carolina
  Person ID	I81946	Singleton and Related Families
  Last Modified	24 May 2017

  
  

  Mother	Hannie/Hanie Levi LYLES   d. Bef 28 Mar 2011
  Mother	Willie Lourine WATSON   d. Bef 28 Mar 2011
  _UID	A774C25776DA4D58822A6BDBACCDDC52C263
  _UID	A774C25776DA4D58822A6BDBACCDDC52C263
  Family ID	F178877	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Ray Anderson KELLEY
  Marriage	Abt 1957  [4]
  _UID	5D88BEF81B434203A42B7A1DE74E01D6B0B0
  _UID	5D88BEF81B434203A42B7A1DE74E01D6B0B0
  Children	1. Janice KELLEY   2. Kenneth KELLEY   3. Todd KELLEY
  Family ID	F56946	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	31 Mar 2011

  
  

• Sources

  [S25133] Dewey Ray Lyles. [S1787] Riva l. Kelley. [S15834] Wilma Kelley * 1937 - 2011. [S15835] Wilma L. Kelley. [S15870] Elga Rhea Hatfield.