Longtime Messenger correspondent Dorothy “Dot” Hudson Kelley of Attalla passed away on Oct. 22 at the age of 80.
For several years until her health began to fail, Dot wrote a weekly column for The Messenger entitled “Bits & Pieces” that mainly focused on the various happenings in and around the Attalla community. Dot noted that she received a good amount of information for her weekly series from her daily morning “get-together” with friends at Hardees restaurant on Hwy. 77.
“I always looked forward to Dot’s column every week,” said Messenger Publisher/Editor Chris McCarthy. “Not only did she report news that was fresh and upbeat, she did it in a writing style that was unpretentious and familiar. Dot had a great sense of humor, and she was not shy about poking fun at herself. Dot’s love for her family and friends and community was apparent throughout her columns, and we at The Messenger will sorely miss her.”
According to her obituary, Dot was a faithful Christian who loved her Lord foremost. Her motto was “give and much will be given” and she held true to that. Dot was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and the big sister who held her family together. Mrs. Kelley was a member of Safe Harbor Church of God, The Golden Age Club and the El Senor Club. Dot will be remembered her for her generosity, her ability to always share a joke and an infectious smile that could light up a room.
The funeral service was held on Oct. 24 at Cathedral of Praise in Gadsden. Rev. J.L. Knight and Rev. Jan Stanley officiated the service. Jared Kelley, Noah Jones, Chris Jones, Lanny Whitt, Bryan Brown and Chase Gossett served as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers were residents of Cherry Creek Village and the staff of Amedisys Hospice.
Interment was at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Preceding Dot in death were her parents S.J. and Lottie McRae Hudson; her husband and love of her life for 51 years, J.B. Kelley; her son, Joe Kelley; and her grandson, Judson Brock Jones.
Dot leaves behind her daughter Kathy Jones (Ferrell) of Attalla; her sisters Martha Biesecker of Decatur, Kaye Brooks (Wayne) of Boaz, Fay Johnston of Attalla and Brenda English (Tom) of Southside; her brothers, Willard Hudson (Jean) of Boaz and Claudie Hudson (Martha) of Boaz; her grandsons Jared Kelley (Sarah) and Noah Jones of Attalla; and her great-grandson, Jackson Kelley and Joseph Kelley (who will be arriving in February).
The family expressed its sincere appreciation to everyone who called, visited and prayed for Dot during her 18 days in the hospital. Special thanks were extended to ninth floor nurses Tara, Barbara, Valerie, Lexi and Carletta; aides Kala and Monik; and Carolyn in housekeeping. Thanks also were extended to SICU nurses Rick, Neil, Lauren, Mary and Kimberly.