Margaret Davis Kelly

Margaret Ruth Davis Kelly died Friday, October 17, 2014, in Gulfport.
She was born October 25, 1932, in Alpha, Iowa, the third daughter of Ruth and William J. Davis. The family consisted of the four girls, Laura Ann, Carlene Joan, Margaret Ruth, and Mary Elizabeth, and two boys, Oakley William and Alan Richardson.
Margaret graduated as the Alpha High School Class of 1950 Valedictorian. She was an elementary school teacher for forty-four years. She received her B.A. degree from the State College of Iowa in Cedar Falls, IA, and her M.A. degree from Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI. She taught school in Iowa, Ohio, and with the Department of Defense Overseas Dependent Schools. Margaret was the fifth member of her family to be a teacher, following in the footsteps of her parents and two older sisters.
She was a life member of the National Education Association, the American Overseas Association of Teachers , and was a Martha Jennings Scholar.
She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Chapter 45, Oelwein, IA. She was a member of the United Methodist Church and a later member of the Presbyterian Church in Fairborn, OH.
She married Arthur L. Kelly, Jr. on June 21, 1975, in Dayton, OH. They lived for many years in Fairborn, OH. She was the last of her immediate family, being preceded in death also by her brothers-in-law, Max McManis, Lavoy Reynolds, and Donald H. Meier.
She is survived by her loving husband, Arthur L. Kelly, Jr. of Gulfport, MS; brother-in-law, William A. Neith, Jr. of Waterloo, IA; nieces, Shelly Neith Clyde, Tracey Clyde and their three children, Brandon, Yu Meng, and Bowen, Sheila Neith Wieland, Curtis Wieland, Jaden and Erica; and nephew, Paul Meier of Cedar Rapids, IA.
Visitation will be Thursday, October 23, 2014, at RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 274 Beauvoir Road, Biloxi, from 9:45-10:45am. Graveside services will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery at 11:00am.
Memories may be shared at www.riemannfamily.com.