Myrtle Margaret Kelly

 Myrtle Margaret Lambert Kelly

Myrtle Margaret Lambert Kelly, 97, of Valdosta passed away peacefully at her home with her daughters by her side on Wednesday, January 22, 2025. She was born on April 12, 1927, in Attapulgus, Georgia to the late Albert Marvin Lambert and Emma Cynthia Lambert. Myrtle was an only child who grew up during the Great Depression where she learned to live a life of quiet dignity and strength. She possessed natural beauty and grace with a keen insightful intellect and an adventurous spirit. In high school a favorite history teacher sparked her imagination which began a lifelong desire to travel the world. Her chosen profession was nursing and upon graduation at age 17 she left home for the first time and boarded a bus to Atlanta. Myrtle had enrolled and qualified for a full scholarship in nursing through the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps. She lived, studied and worked at Piedmont Hospital where she received her nursing degree specializing in surgery. 

Upon graduation she returned to Valdosta and set out to purchase her first automobile. The handsome young car salesman promised to take her out if she purchased the convertible Ford she was interested in. Myrtle bought the car and after only 3 months of courtship she and Edwin E. Kelly married. They drove the car to San Francisco, California and then shipped it to Japan where Edwin was stationed in the Air Force while Myrtle set up housekeeping and became a first-time mother. 

Following Japan, they moved to Miami, Florida and then back to Valdosta. Edwin’s career in the military took them on to France, Thailand, Virginia, Louisiana and Germany. Once Edwin retired from the military they settled in Pompano Beach, Florida where Myrtle began working full-time at Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale as a surgical nurse. She loved her work assisting in all types of surgery and was regarded by the surgeons as their most valued and respected nurse. Later in life she would reflect upon how she had accomplished her goal of having a career and one which she was very proud of.

During her younger years she spent her free time reading, square dancing, doing a lot of fun activities with her 3 grandsons and travelling. She and her husband were among the first travelers to visit China when the country opened up to foreigners in the late 1970s. They travelled throughout the United States, Europe and to Russia, with Ireland being a favorite destination. 

In 1995 she and Edwin returned to Valdosta where Myrtle immediately became involved in the community; volunteering for Hospice and joining the Camellia Garden Club. She remained active in the Garden Club for many years also serving as its president. Myrtle’s friends would often comment on what a hard worker she was and how proficiently she could get things accomplished. They would joke how it would take 3 people to do what she could do on her own. 

Given all her activities and passion for work she was forever a loving wife, mother and grandmother. Known as an excellent cook, she always made home-cooked dinners for her family and would often host parties for friends. As teenagers, her children’s friends were happy to be invited to sit down for one of her delicious home-cooked meals or hand-churned homemade ice cream and cookies. 

Married for 66 years to the love of her life, Colonel Edwin E. Kelly, she was a devoted wife and mother. Colonel Kelly never stopped admiring his wife’s strength, beauty and talents as both an accomplished RN nurse and mother. They travelled the world together and remained loyal companions and best friends. As a mother she was a role model for being a nurturing parent who provided healthy nutritious meals and gave wise advice about life, while pursuing her individual talents as a surgical nurse. 

Extremely intelligent, with a wry sense of humor Myrtle possessed true integrity. She was a good judge of character and lived her life with faith and a strong belief in her savior Jesus Christ. Myrtle remained an active member of the First Baptist Church of Valdosta for 30 years and had read the Bible several times over. 

We will love her forever and always and as she goes home to be with the Lord and to join her loved ones whom she missed; her husband, Colonel Edwin E. Kelly, her son, Larry Lambert Kelly and parents Albert and Emma Lambert. She is survived by her loving and devoted daughters, Rhonda Hamman and Dr. Michele Kelly; her number one son-in-law, Dr. John Shue Hamman Jr., her beloved grandsons, John Edwin Hamman, Lieutenant Colonel James Albert Hamman, Joseph Kelly Hamman and their wives as well as her 7 great-grandchildren and nephew Paul Melita and niece Nancy Furey. 

Visitation is at 10 a.m. Saturday, January 25th and funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. at Carson McLane Funeral Home 2215 N Patterson Street, Valdosta, Georgia. Burial will follow at McLane Riverview Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to First Baptist Church Valdosta and Hospice of South Georgia.

Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.mclanefuneralservices.com

Carson McLane Funeral Home