Buffalo Elementary School
Ola Jean Kelly in period dress talks to BES students during SC Day 2017
Daniel Prince
Kelly's death called a tremendous loss for the county
Union County lost one of its treasures last week as Ola Jean Kelly passed away at the age of 83. Kelly spent 40 years working at Arthur State Bank, advancing to the position of Vice-President and Comptroller before retiring in December 1996. She then worked for the Union County Historical Society, specializing in genealogical research and historical reenactments at Rose Hill and the Cross Keys House. She also helped to establish the Union County Museum and was its first executive director.
WBCU News asked Lewis Jeter with the Union County Historical Society to try and explain what Kelly meant to the organization and to Union County:
(audio below story)
Kelly’s funeral was held last Saturday at Mon Aetna Baptist Church, and she was buried at Kelly’s Chapel Cemetery in Carlisle.