Constance Laverne (Roberts) Kelley was born in Evansville, In on December 3, 1940 to the late Joel S. Roberts, Sr. and Thelma A. Dixon Roberts. She was the third of five siblings, preceded in death by her brother, Joel S. Roberts Jr, Sisters, Julia Goldsmith and Clara Roberts. Her step-son Kent Hite, and grand-daughter Shamaya Merriwether.
Constance was a graduate of Lincoln High School class of 1958, and attended two years at the Evansville College now (University of Evansville).
She Accepted Christ and was baptized at the age of eight years old by Rev. W.R. Brown St. at New Baptist Church. She later joined and became an active member of The Nazarene Baptist Church in June of 1968. She was an active and faithful member for more than 50+ years where she taught Sunday School, Bible Study, Precept Bible Class, and served as a Greeter and sang in the Sanctuary Choir.
Constance worked at Mead Johnson/Bristol-Myers Squibb for 29 years until her retirement in 1994 at the age of 54. She joined Mead Johnsons in 1965 working in the Pharmaceutical Packaging and in the Label Room before being promoted in 1976 as the first black female Foreman. She stated, “I was proud that I had been asked, but, I was also apprehensive of the responsibility...After careful debating, and much prayer, I decided to accept the Challenge…And for me, this was truly a challenge.”
She was united in holy Matrimony to the late Henny E. Kelley for 42 years until his untimely death on June 24, 2001. The Lord called her home on March 2, 2024.
She leaves to cherish her memory, two daughters, Patrice Miles (Harold), Angela Harper (Howard "Eugene”) of New Orleans, Louisiana, Sherri Merriweather (Ernest) of Atlanta, Georgia; one brother, James Roberts (Arleatha) of Indianapolis, sister-in-law, Helen Farmer, sister-in-law, Mary Marion, and brother-in-law, James Kelley (Anna) both of Evansville; Ten grandchildren, Howard E. Harper III (Amber) of Covington, Louisiana, Allana Jackson-Wade (Jamaal) of Indianapolis, Andrea Harper-Hopkins (Keyarius "KJ”) of New Orleans, Louisiana, Alicia Harper (James Robinson IV) of New Orleans, Louisiana, Brienne Miles, Bryan Miles, Shemijah Miles, Jermaine Miles, Mario Merriwether, and Sherika Merriwether; eight great - grandchildren, Rahmel Harper, James Robinson V, Jacsyn Wade, Howard E. Harper IV., Jamaal W. Wade Jr., Jeremiah Robinson, Ava Hopkins, McKenna Wade and a great niece Emmanuelle Roberts. She leaves a host of Nieces, Nephews, Cousins, Friends, and church family. She will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved her.
A visitation will be held Friday, March 8th from 6 to 8 p.m. with the funeral service being held Saturday, March 9th at 10 a.m. all at Nazarene Missionary Baptist Church.
The family asks that In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Joshua Academy Preschool.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Constance "Connie" Laverne Kelley, please visit our flower store.
Constance was a graduate of Lincoln High School class of 1958, and attended two years at the Evansville College now (University of Evansville).
She Accepted Christ and was baptized at the age of eight years old by Rev. W.R. Brown St. at New Baptist Church. She later joined and became an active member of The Nazarene Baptist Church in June of 1968. She was an active and faithful member for more than 50+ years where she taught Sunday School, Bible Study, Precept Bible Class, and served as a Greeter and sang in the Sanctuary Choir.
Constance worked at Mead Johnson/Bristol-Myers Squibb for 29 years until her retirement in 1994 at the age of 54. She joined Mead Johnsons in 1965 working in the Pharmaceutical Packaging and in the Label Room before being promoted in 1976 as the first black female Foreman. She stated, “I was proud that I had been asked, but, I was also apprehensive of the responsibility...After careful debating, and much prayer, I decided to accept the Challenge…And for me, this was truly a challenge.”
She was united in holy Matrimony to the late Henny E. Kelley for 42 years until his untimely death on June 24, 2001. The Lord called her home on March 2, 2024.
She leaves to cherish her memory, two daughters, Patrice Miles (Harold), Angela Harper (Howard "Eugene”) of New Orleans, Louisiana, Sherri Merriweather (Ernest) of Atlanta, Georgia; one brother, James Roberts (Arleatha) of Indianapolis, sister-in-law, Helen Farmer, sister-in-law, Mary Marion, and brother-in-law, James Kelley (Anna) both of Evansville; Ten grandchildren, Howard E. Harper III (Amber) of Covington, Louisiana, Allana Jackson-Wade (Jamaal) of Indianapolis, Andrea Harper-Hopkins (Keyarius "KJ”) of New Orleans, Louisiana, Alicia Harper (James Robinson IV) of New Orleans, Louisiana, Brienne Miles, Bryan Miles, Shemijah Miles, Jermaine Miles, Mario Merriwether, and Sherika Merriwether; eight great - grandchildren, Rahmel Harper, James Robinson V, Jacsyn Wade, Howard E. Harper IV., Jamaal W. Wade Jr., Jeremiah Robinson, Ava Hopkins, McKenna Wade and a great niece Emmanuelle Roberts. She leaves a host of Nieces, Nephews, Cousins, Friends, and church family. She will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved her.
A visitation will be held Friday, March 8th from 6 to 8 p.m. with the funeral service being held Saturday, March 9th at 10 a.m. all at Nazarene Missionary Baptist Church.
The family asks that In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Joshua Academy Preschool.
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