Mary Linda Kelley
Linda Kelley, 84, of Chattanooga passed away on January 23, 2023.
She was born in Lexington, Tn., on July 29, 1938 to the late, Bonnie S. and Mary Nelle Chalk. She was a member of Brainerd Church of Christ since 1965 and most recently Central Church of Christ. She was an active member of her church having served in various capacities including Sunday School Teacher and Church Secretary.
She served as executive secretary for 12 years to two school presidents of Boyd Buchanan School. Linda spent two years gathering information, conducting 100+ interviews, doing the research, and editing the book “Educating for Eternity: A History of Boyd-Buchanan School” in honor of the school’s 50th Anniversary.
Linda and Jerry were foster parents to many children and were named Foster Parents of the Year in 1976. Linda served as the president of the Tennessee Foster Care Association and received the Bonny Oaks Children’s Services Award for her contribution to building better services for the children of Hamilton County and was a Jefferson Award Winner for her work in getting state laws changed to more easily terminate parental rights.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry Kelley, daughter in law, JoAnn Kelley, and a brother Jackye Q. Chalk.
Survivors include her sons, Wade (Jamie) Kelley; Brent Kelley; Johnny Kelley; grandsons, Caleb Kelley and Nicholas Kelley; and brothers, John Allen (Sue) Chalk and Jimmy (Robbie) Chalk, sisters-in-law, Jean Kelley and Patsy Kelley.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Jan. 28, at 1 p.m. at Central Church of Christ, 400 Vine Street, Chattanooga, Tn. 37407.
The family will receive friends on Friday, Jan. 27, from 4-7 p.m. at the East Chapel and Saturday, Jan. 28, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Linda Kelley to Boyd Buchanan School Scholarship Fund, or to Martin Boyd Christian Home.
The family requests you share your thoughts and memories of Linda at www.ChattanoogaEastChapel.com so they may be included in her memory book.