Beverly "Bev" Kelly, 93, passed away peacefully on June 27, 2023, after a brief illness.  Bev was born on June 22, 1930, the first of two children of Howard and Iris Thompson in Lorain, OH.  She is survived by her three children: Charlie Kelly (Margaret) of Alpharetta, GA; Patty Corry (John) of Encino, CA; and Liz Barlowe of Seminole, FL; and her grandchildren Leah Dempsey (Mike), Scott Kelly and Allison Kelly, Dylan Barlowe and Lauren Corry; and her brother James Thompson, Spartanburg, SC.

She received dual degrees in business and sociology from Otterbein College and later a master's degree in social work from Florida State University.  Bev spent her younger years in Orlando and south Florida.  After marrying Ernest Kelly in 1959 she moved to Seminole, FL where they raised their three children. Ernest passed away after battling an illness, leaving Bev to raise their three children as a single mother.

She was the Christian Education Director at Faith United Presbyterian Church and later took a position with the Pinellas County Sheriff's Department in the mental health program of the county jail where she managed her own pod of 16 male inmates with daily group sessions, focusing on "Changing Criminal Thoughts," while contributing to a ground-breaking national course, "The Criminal Mind".  Bev was known to correspond with several inmates over the years, including some who were wrongfully accused and others who were harshly over-sentenced.

She found her spiritual home at the Good Samaritan Church in Pinellas Park, volunteering countless hours in their food pantry program and as the team leader and church liaison for the F.A.S.T (Faith and Action for Strength Together) program, bringing together churches of all denominations & synagogues to advocate for common sense change from local elected officials.

Bev dedicated her life to making her community and the world a better place.  She found most joy in travelling the world, meeting new people while experiencing their cultures and sharing those experiences with her family.  She was a lifelong learner and eager to stay on top of emerging technology.

She's been a role model for so many who have marveled at her energy, determination, and compassion. She never stopped educating herself, advocating for others, and uplifting her community.

Relatives and friends are invited to join the family to celebrate Bev's life at a visitation Friday, July 14th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Mohn Funeral Home, 9700 Seminole Blvd., Seminole and her Celebration of Life Saturday, July 15th at 2:00pm at Good Samaritan Church, 6085 Park Blvd., Pinellas Park.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you donate to the Kelly Justice and Mercy Fund, a fund set up in Bev's honor to provide funding for the justice and mercy work of Good Samaritan Church for many years to come. Please put "Kelly Fund" in the memo line of any checks and mail to the Good Samaritan Church at 6085 Park Blvd., Pinellas Park FL 33772 or online donation at: www.discovergoodsam.org/give More information on the Kelly Fund can be found here.