Simply and universally referred to as "Granny" by those who came to know her, Edith Kelley passed peacefully on November 2, 2019 at Lawrence Hall Nursing Center in Walnut Ridge. She was 102.

Born on December 29, 1916 on a farm in Madison, South Dakota, Edith's life and times were anchored by her deep and abiding Christian faith (her mother was a devout Quaker), an exceptional work ethic, and her limitless love for her family.

Her career spanned an incredible 76 years, starting with her first high school job in 1935 for a local political candidate in South Dakota. That connection led to public service in President Dwight Eisenhower's administration in the Executive Office building, next door to the White House. From there she went to work with the Army Corps of Engineers, from which she retired in 1969, receiving for her service the second highest medal given to non-military employees by the U.S. Army: Decoration for Meritorious Civilian Service.

She then moved to San Francisco and went to work for International Engineering, which afforded her the opportunity to travel to many countries across four continents: Europe, the Orient, Africa and Australia. Her second retirement came in 1980, and she relocated to Walnut Ridge to be near her sons and their families. Soon after, Edith began working with grandsons Terry and Mike in their insurance office. Her third and final retirement came 30 years later in 2011, at age 95.

Edith spoke often of family as her greatest blessing, and once situated in Walnut Ridge and surrounded by grandchildren and eventually great-grandchildren, she spent as much time as possible immersed in the innumerable joys of being everyone's beloved "Granny."
She treasured hosting daily multi-generational luncheons: her "boys" were typically joined by some of the grandkids and, as time wore on, a few great-grandkids.

It's impossible to count the volume of tomato soup served in her kitchen, the number of greeting cards she hand-wrote for all the various occasions and holidays she unfailingly remembered, the miles logged traveling to Bidwell family reunions, the number of feline friends that found favor and sanctuary on her premises, or the smiles and hugs she bestowed on those, young and old, who loved and revered her.
Edith was preceded in death by her husband, Darrell Kelley, Sr., her parents Franklin Benjamin Bidwell and Evalena Corliss Bidwell, and her nine older siblings.

She is survived by a large and loving family: sons Darrell, Jr. (Ruth) and Frank (Karen) of Walnut Ridge; grandchildren Rick Kelley of Greenwood; Mike Kelley, Janna (Clint) Berry and Terry (Sloane) Kelley all of Walnut Ridge; Dana (Kelly) Kelley of near Light; and Carol Kelley of Jonesboro. Her legacy as matriarch also includes 14 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Visitation will be Wednesday, November 6, at 10:30 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Walnut Ridge, where she was a longtime member, with a Celebration of Life service at noon, followed by a graveside ceremony. All who loved Granny are invited.

Those wishing to make donations in lieu of flowers are encouraged to contribute to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or the Northeast Arkansas Humane Society.