Helen Virginia (Liles) Kelly

Helen Virginia Liles “Bunch” Kelly was born on July 7, 1938, to the late Samuel Liles and Helen McCall Liles in Marlboro County, South Carolina. She departed life surrounded by her love one’s on Thursday, May 26, 2022, at Windham Hospital, Willimantic, CT.

Helen was reared in Pinehurst, North Carolina (Jackson Hamlet), and attended Our Lady of Victory Catholic School, Southern Pines, NC, and the public schools of Moore County (Berkley). She was a member of Saint Paul Missionary Baptist Church, Pinehurst, NC.

Helen met the love of her life, William Thornton Kelly Sr. in Pinehurst, NC, and after marriage they relocated to Willimantic, CT. She became a member of Calvary Baptist Church, Willimantic, CT.

To this union three children were born, Catherine, William, and Mary Elizabeth.

Helen was affectionally known as “Bunch”. She was one of the world’s best Culinary Cooks, and vegetable gardener. “In plain words she loved to cook.” She loved to watch the Food Channel and would immediately go into her kitchen and create the most tasteful and delicious meals. Then she would share with friends, neighbors, and the less fortunate. She could feed an army and still have leftovers.

Helen loved traveling to North Carolina to visit with family and friends. She especially loved to visit one of her favorite nephews, Floyd, where she had her own special designated bedroom. Recently she and her daughter visited with family in North Carolina. The memories of that visit will forever be cherished in our hearts; and as Bunch would say “there is no place like home, NC is my home”.

She dedicated her life caring for family, friends, and loves ones.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William Thornton Kelly Sr.; her parents, Samuel and Helen M. Liles; brothers, Cedric Andre Liles and LC Liles; and sister Ruby Lee Leonard.

She is survived by her children, Catherine (John) Ferguson, William (Yvonne) Kelly, Mary Elizabeth Kelly, all of Willimantic, CT, and Aleah Long, Glastonbury, CT; Grandchildren, Joseph Kelly, and John Ferguson; Great- Grandchild, Malani Helen Ferguson, all of Willimantic, CT; Sister, Ola Mae Foster, Iron Station, NC.; and brother Andrew Brown, Wilmington, DE; many nieces, nephews, cousins, a lifetime family friend/mentor, Ms. Mildred Davis, Pinehurst, NC., and a special and dedicated friend, Bernedette Halley.  

Helen's family will receive relatives and friends on Friday, June 3, 2022 from 5:00pm-6:00pm for a calling hour followed by a funeral service at 6:00pm at Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson Street, Willimantic, CT.  Burial will take place on Saturday, June 4, 2022 at 9:00am at the New Willimantic Cemetery, 1700 W. Main Street, Willimantic, CT  06226.   

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