Honea Path – Mildred Estelle Dalton Kelley, 96, wife of over 75 years to James A. Kelley, died Friday, September 1, 2017 at her home.
Born in Pickens County, she was a daughter of the late William Rector and Cora Elizabeth Alexander Dalton. She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church where she was a former children’s Sunday School teacher. She was a retired teacher, and during World War II, she worked on the fuselage of P-38 fighter planes at Ryan Aircraft in San Diego, Ca as a real “Rosie the Riveter” . She never lost a plane.
Surviving are her husband of the home, a son, Marty Kelley of Honea Path, two daughters, Dalton Blankenship (Norman) of Honea Path, and Gemma Kelley of Honea Path, two grandchildren, Jessica Ervin (Rodney) and Joshua Blankenship (Mandy), three great-grandchildren, Jessica Ervin, Etta Blankenship, and Moses Blankenship, and a great-great-grandchild, Addyson Butler. She was pre-deceased by five brothers, Reck, Bill, Grayson, Wyatt, and Jack Dalton and four sisters, Gladys Green, Janey Garrett, Lois Gaines, and Carole Gillespie.
Memorial services will be held on Sunday September 17, 2017 at Trinity United Methodist Church with Rev. Gayle Summey officiating.
The family will be at their respective homes and will receive friends after the Memorial Service at the church. The family requests that flowers be omitted and memorials be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, 101 S. Main St., Honea Path, SC 29654. Online condolences may be made at www.ParkerWhitePruitt.com