Lorraine Murphree Kelley

Mrs. Lorraine Murphree Kelley, 80, passed away peacefully Wednesday, March 19, 2025.

Lorraine was born in Pickens, SC, daughter of the late Roy and Pauline Cooper Murphree. She graduated from Pickens High School, where she met her future husband, James A. Kelley, who was a fellow high school hall monitor.

After they married in December 1963, Lorraine worked as a bank teller and then a beautician while supporting her husband’s studies at Clemson and Georgia Tech. They made a home in Aiken when James started his career with Dupont, and raised two children, John and Starr. As James’ career progressed, their family moved to Orange, TX; Reston, VA; Colts Neck, NJ; Chadd’s Ford, PA; and Grand Island, NY. With each move, Lorraine made a home for their family and made friends in their new community.

Throughout her life, Lorraine brought a deep curiosity and enthusiasm to her many interests and avocations, which included gardening, traveling, reading, cooking, music, sewing, painting, and other visual arts. She was a dedicated student at the Aiken Center for the Arts, and enjoyed many classes there as she developed her considerable talent as a painter. She was also an active member of local gardening groups – and she is survived by an army of houseplants that benefited greatly from her extraordinary green thumb and tender care.

While she was passionate about her own artistic endeavors, Lorraine was an even more passionate champion of other people. She loved to see and encourage the art, music, and other work that her family and friends brought into the world. She was also an active member of First Presbyterian Church, where she was a leader in sustaining a long-term mission project to support mothers and infants in Mwandi, Zambia.

She is survived by her loving husband, James A. Kelley; her son, John (Autumn Arnold) Kelley, Madison, WI; grandchild, Elliott Kelley; sister, Oleta Thrower, TX; nephew Paul (Dorlisa) Thrower; nieces Myra (Andrew) Cullum and Maria (JR) Senn; brother-in-law Lawrence (Lillian) Kelley; sisters-in-law Miriam Hendricks and Marie (Frank) Edwards; several great-nieces and great-nephews; “unadopted daughters” Debbie Figueroa and Tara Trottnow; and many dear friends.

Lorraine was preceded in death by her daughter, Starr Kelley; and two brothers, Willie Murphree, and Roy Murphree, Jr.

A celebration of Lorraine’s life will be held at 1:30 PM Monday, March 24, 2025, at First Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. Dr. Chris Erde officiating. The family will then receive family and friends for a reception in the church Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers, please direct memorials to First Presbyterian Church/Mwandi Missions, 224 Barnwell Ave., NW, Aiken, SC 29801.

SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC

Lorraine's online guest book may be signed by visiting www.shellhousefuneralhome.com