In Memoriam
 Ethel Kelley Reagan 1938-2013 |
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REAGAN, MRS. E. KELLEY "SWEETPEA" - after a very short battle with cancer, quietly passed away Sunday morning, July 21, 2013 at home. The news of her death came as a shock to the entire city, for never was there a woman more kind or beloved in Gatlinburg than Miss Kelley. Sweetpea's happiness was in giving to those around her, teaching the local children how to swim, or identifying wildflowers in the park. Those who knew her most intimately speak of her as the most caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt. In matter of charity, she recognized neither creed, nor color; gender nor sexuality. Many did not know to the full extent the almost unbounded generosity of her heart, and many of her deeds of charity and works of kindness among the poor are unrecorded save in the writing of angels in the world beyond this Earth whither she has gone. Unassuming, sweet and gracious. Miss Kelley was born on February 5, 1938 in Bluefield, VW and grew up in Johnson City, TN. She took on a social security job in Sevier County, TN, where she met her surviving husband, Brownlee Reagan. Together, they started a basis for Gatlinburg, as it remains today. They had three beautiful children, Mary B, Lee and John. Sweetpea met Mary B and John, Sunday morning with Our Father above. She is survived by her husband Brownlee Reagan; son and daughter-in-law, Lee and Lori Reagan; granddaughters, Mickella, Godiva, Alyvia and Tyra; siblings, Patrick Kelley and Ellen Baldwin; and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. My Grandmother will be missed and remembered by many: family, friends, and especially those who, by her endless acts of charity, have had their need removed and those whom her kindness has cheered. Her connection to her family, past and present, lead me to her great grandmother's testament where I found unique passages that helped me in writing her testament. I can only pray and hope to convey the sweet soul of this woman, who I was lucky enough to call "Grandmother". In Remembrance to my "Grandmama" and my great-great grandmother, two women, who touched the souls around them and made this world a better place, Mickella Reagan. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be given to Friends of the Smokies, P.O. Box 1660, Kodak, TN 37764 or Alzheimer's Tennessee, Inc., 2270 Sutherland Ave., Suite 202, Knoxville, TN 37919. The family will receive friends 4:00-7:00 pm Tuesday, July 23rd, at Atchley Funeral Home, in Sevierville. A memorial service will be held at 4:00 pm, Wednesday, July 24th, at Trinity Episcopal Church, in Gatlinburg, with Rev. Charles Livermore officiating. Arrangements by Atchley Funeral Home, Sevierville |