Obituary of Bonnie Irene Kelly

Bonnie Irene McBee Kelly, 95, of Morgantown, passed away peacefully, Wednesday, May 31, 2017 at Mon Health Medical Center, surrounded by her family.

She was born May 26, 1922, in Morgantown, the daughter of the late Morley Gay and Laura Kelly McBee.  She was a life-long resident of the First Ward area.

Bonnie was a 1940 graduate of Morgantown High School.  She began her career as a telephone operator for the C&P Telephone Company in 1941 and retired on October 19, 1983. During her 42 years of service she worked in management as a Group Chief Operator, supervising and training other operators.  Her retirement coincided with the formal closing of the Morgantown office located on Fayette Street.  As the most tenured operator, she had the honor of taking the last call at the switchboard before services were consolidated to Charleston.  She was a life member of the Telephone Pioneers of America.  She was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church for 83 years, joining the church in 1934.  At Wesley she served as a Sunday School teacher and was a member of the United Methodist Women, the Altar Guild, and the prayer ministry as well as served on various committees.  She also belonged to The Red Hat, Purple Dress Inspirational Ladies Group.  Bonnie was very proud and supportive of her grandsons.  She enjoyed watching them grow up and attended all of their activities.

She is survived by her daughter, Laura Irene Kelly Lewis, and son-in-law, John R. Lewis of Morgantown; two grandsons, Patrick Kelly Lewis, and his fiancé Lacey Napper of Louisville, Kentucky and Thomas Vernon Lewis of Morgantown; a brother, Morley James McBee of Morgantown, and five generations of nieces and nephews including her namesake, Bonnie Ann McBee Fisher of Morgantown.

In addition to her parents, Bonnie was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years Harrison Dewey Kelly, on June 14, 1997 and three brothers, Howard G. McBee, Kenneth E. McBee, and Joseph W. McBee.

Friends and family will be received at Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce Street, Morgantown, on Saturday, June 3, from 2-8PM and again on Sunday, June 4, from 1PM until the time of the funeral service at 2PM with Rev. Dr. Randall F. Flanagan officiating.  Interment will follow at Lawnwood Cemetery.

Donations may be made in Bonnie’s memory to Wesley United Methodist Church, 503 North High Street, Morgantown, WV 26505.

Please send condolences online at hastingsfuneralhome.com