The Life and Legacy of a Phenomenal Woman CELESTINE WEBB-KELLY
It was on December 9, 1935 when Ruel and Azee Webb welcomed to the world Celestine in Peach County, Georgia. Celestine was the oldest of what would eventually be six children. She was born into a family of educators and entrepreneurs. Celestine’s maternal grandparents leased the land they lived on and owned all of the equipment, which included their own gasoline pump! Her paternal grandmother owned property in Detroit, Michigan and in Macon, Georgia. On her maternal side, the family owned the land in which the family church sits, in Fort Valley, Georgia (Oak Grove Baptist Church). Even through the racial divide of that time; Celestine was surrounded by role models who were positive influences. They laid the spiritual foundation that shaped, inspired and helped to create her legacy of today.
Celestine’s family nicknamed her “Tine”. She was very strong-willed and had the tenacity, strength, patience, and passion to reach for the stars. She understood education to be the movement from darkness to light; she had a hunger for learning and knew if she continued to educate herself, she would never cease to grow. Celestine excelled in her studies. She attended the public schools of Bibb County, graduating at the tender age of 16 years old from Ballard-Hudson on June 4, 1952.
Soon after graduation, Celestine wanted to enlist into the United States Navy to pursue a career as an officer and travel the world, but her parents persuaded her to attend college at Fort Valley State College, where her mother’s employer had offered her a full scholarship. While at Fort Valley State College, Celestine continued to excel in her studies and even worked as a student teacher during her tenure. It was also during this time that Celestine pledged the illustrious sisterhood of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., a historically Black Greek-Lettered Organization. She was an active member of the Beta Rho Zeta Chapter (Fort Valley, GA). In 1956, she graduated with honors, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. Immediately following graduation, Celestine began to work as a Teacher in both Bibb and Peach County, Georgia.
A few years later, Celestine was introduced to Valford Albert Kelly by friends, who was stationed at Warner Robbins Air Force Base in the city. Valford was an Air Force Officer who was born and raised in Nassau, Bahamas. Celestine and Valford dated for a year and married on December 19, 1959. Soon after their wedding, Valford was deployed to Germany. Celestine relocated there after giving birth to Treva Jeanine on July 18, 1960. During her tenure in Germany, Celestine was selected to oversee an English- Speaking School and became the first African American Director in the school’s history. In 1963, Valford was deployed to March Air Force Base, in Riverside, California. The family would reside in the Inland Empire for the next three years.
In 1964, the family continued to grow. During a prenatal visit in early December, Celestine’s doctor thought he heard two heartbeats but assumed he was mistaken. A few weeks later, it was confirmed what he heard was accurate and on December 20, 1964, she gave birth to twins Charisse Deneen and Charinda Deneen, born five minutes apart. Celestine could not sleep for two days! During this time, she sought spiritual support, so the family joined Primm Tabernacle AME Church in Pomona, California. A few years later, they, along with their growing family, relocated to the city of Carson in 1967. Valford was hired on with General Electric as a Computer Technician and Celestine began her illustrious, 33-year career as a Teacher with the Compton Unified School District. She received numerous awards during her tenure for being an Outstanding Educator. The family also joined Grant African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1968.
Celestine was raised as a Christian and wanted to ensure the same foundation for her children. She believed it was important to volunteer her time beyond the weekly church services. Her first call of duty was to work with the Sunday School, particularly, with toddlers up to five years old so she volunteered to serve with the Cradle Roll. There, she developed young minds through leading Sunday School sessions as well as organizing offsite events such as the annual Easter Egg Hunt. In addition to Sunday School, Celestine developed speeches for the Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving and Mother’s Day programs. Her next mission was to influence young mothers, so she joined the Mother’s Club and served as Secretary. She was a member of this auxiliary for three decades. In 2003, she won the Mother of the Year Award! She also merged with the Class Leader Group. Celestine was passionate about this role up until she was unable to perform due to her illness. She consistently would reach out to her assigned church members and faithfully shared information and prayed with her members once a month. It was her desire to ensure that all of her assigned members felt included as viable members of the church ministry. Celestine also served with the Trevelyn Reed Ashanti Missionary Unit (under the umbrella of the Willie B. Webster Missionary Society) until her illness. Through this work, she supported many families in their times of need and worked on various projects that benefited the community and the body of Christ. She truly loved her role as a tutor with the Kirkland Academy as she had a passion for reading. She would describe this work as priceless, especially when her students began to excel because of her encouragement. She was so thrilled to tutor children that she also volunteered to teach Children’s Church and did so faithfully, every third Sunday for many years.
Celestine was not immune to hardships and in the mid 70’s her marriage to Valford dissolved. A few years later, she met her companion of nearly 25 years, Emerson Carol Parker. It was also during this period when she decided to pursue her Master’s Degree in Education, with an emphasis on Reading, from California State University, Dominguez Hills, in 1982. What was remarkable about this achievement is she worked as a Teacher by day and at the Mall at night and weekends; along with a full class schedule. Celestine was able to earn her Master’s Degree over a two year period!
A world traveler adventuress, Celestine has toured abroad with Friends as well as domestically with Family.
In August of 2016, Celestine was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. This diagnosis was a strong blow to her family as they were still recovering from the passing of her son-in-law, Donald Ray Harris (Charinda), six months prior.
On August 13, 2018, just pass noon, Celestine was called to her heavenly home. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ruel and Azee Webb; sister, Annie Webb McCamy; brother-in-law, Charley L. McCamy, Jr.; brother, Walter Webb; sister, Maxine Webb Harmon; son-in-law Donald Ray Harris and her companion of 25 years, Emerson Carol Parker.
She leaves to cherish her memory: three daughters Treva Kelly, Charisse Kelly (Terrol Kelly) both of Carson, California and Charinda Harris of Lawrenceville, Georgia; three grandchildren, Chariah Harris, Chaundria Harris and Dylan Harris, of Lawrenceville, Georgia; one sister, Gwendolyn Jackson (Thaddis Jackson, Sr.) of Heth, Arkansas; one brother, Rupert Webb (Elsie Webb) of Macon, Georgia; and sister- in-law Elizabeth Webb of Lizella, Georgia. She also leaves to mourn a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, many friends and her childhood friend of over six decades, Marvin Oliver, who visited her frequently during her illness.
A woman cherished by her students, Celestine’s gentleness, love for God, warmth and generosity will be remembered with love by the many people whose lives she touched!
