Ida Odelle Kelly Hamby, age 90 of Rabun Gap, gained her heavenly wings on Sept. 14, 2022.
Odelle was born the daughter of the late Ray Kelly and the late Sarah Elizabeth “Bessie” Mize Kelly on Nov. 5, 1931. She was a devoted and loving wife to the late Billy Lewis Hamby. She graduated from Rabun Gap Nacoochee School in 1948 and obtained a Mathematics Degree from Piedmont College in 1951. She went on to receive a Master’s Degree in Education from Western Carolina University in 1962. In 1951, she began her career as an educator in Stephens County, Georgia, where she taught one year before joining the Rabun County School System. She was a devoted educator for 37 years where she touched the lives of many students, colleagues, and families. After retirement, Mrs. Hamby volunteered her time at Ridgecrest Hospital and the Rabun County Historical Society which fueled her passion for genealogy. She was a lifelong and dedicated member of the Dillard United Methodist Church where she served on many committees within the church as well as the district level. Mrs. Hamby provided transportation for many children in the county to attend church on Sundays. Her greatest joy was found in serving and helping others. She loved attending church functions, family reunions, and her grandchildren’s sporting events. She was a devoted and loving daughter, wife, mother, and Meme.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by four brothers, Sam Kelly, Donald Kelly, John Kelly, Warren Kelly; and two sisters, Agnes Ramsey and Imogene Ramsey.
Her survivors include her daughter, Gail Coleman, of Rabun Gap; her brother, Larry Kelly (Linda), of Marietta, Ga.; her sister, Wilma Hoilman, of Dillard, Georgia; three grandchildren, Keri Talley (Brian), of Rabun Gap, Kami English (Brandon), of Tiger, Cody Coleman (Meredith), of Clayton; five great-grandchildren, Kaitlin Coleman, Scout Cannon, Colter Cannon, Maddox English, and Palmer Coleman.
The family received friends on Saturday Sept. 17, 2022, at the Dillard United Methodist Church in Dillard, Ga., from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m.
A funeral service was held on Saturday Sept. 17, 2022, at the Dillard United Methodist Church at 3 p.m. with Rev. Doug Volk and Rev. James Turpin officiating.
Committal followed in the Wesley Chapel Cemetery in Rabun Gap, Georgia.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Odelle’s memory to the Wesley Chapel Cemetery Fund 793 Yorkhouse Road Rabun Gap, Georgia 30568.
Beck Funeral Home, in Clayton, Ga., is in charge of the arrangements. If there are any questions, please call 706-782-9599. An online Memorial Register Book is available at www.beckfuneralhome.com.
The Clayton Tribune
September 22, 2022