Helen O. Kelley

AIKEN, SC - HELEN OWENS KELLEY, 79, widow of Harold Maxwell Kelley, died Monday, October 10, 2016 at her residence. A native and life-long resident of Aiken, Helen was a daughter of the late George M. and Ruby Leach Owens.  She was an interior designer and the owner of Design House since 1969.  Helen was an artist and put her heart into every project she worked on.  One of her most recent being the renovation of True Value Hardware in downtown Aiken.  She chose the exterior building color and design of the awning, as well as interior features which led to two awards from the Historic Aiken Foundation for interior and exterior design.  Helen’s father co-owned Owens Nursery on Whiskey Road in the 1950’s and 60’s, which is the current site of Walmart.  She was very proud of the fact that he developed and propagated the Miss Aiken Camellia.  Helen was a member of St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church and was a former president of the Aiken Civic Ballet. Survivors include her daughter, Cissy Kelley, Aiken; three sons, Leland N. Kelley (Holden Humphrey), Woodruff, Owens Gordon (Amy Duncan), Aiken, George H. Kelley (Jennifer), Aiken; grandchildren, Matthew Gordon (Tiffany), Joshua Gordon (Brittany), Andrew Williamson, Jessica Williamson, Anthony Williamson, Jordan Kelley, Jacob Kelley, Christy Harrison (Laverne), Johnathan Bush; two great-grandchildren, Christian Barnwell, Mikayla Harrison; two sisters, Georgia Mills, Aiken, Lenora Owens (Ali Rahnamoon), Mt. Pleasant, SC.  In addition to her husband and parents, Helen was preceded in death by two sons, Harold M. Kelley, Jr., Ricky Gordon and two sisters, Claire Hanks and Jo Ellen Baker. The family will receive friends Friday afternoon beginning at 1 o’clock at Shellhouse – Rivers Funeral Home.  The funeral service will follow at 2 o’clock at the funeral home with The Rev. Dr. Christopher Crotwell officiating.  Interment will be in St. Thaddeus Episcopal Churchyard.  SHELLHOUSE – RIVERS FUNERAL HOME, 715 EAST PINE LOG RD., AIKEN, SC     To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Helen O. Kelley, please visit our flower store.