WINSTON-SALEM - Sidney L. Kelly, Jr., 79, son of Essie Elliott Kelly of Conway, SC, died of congestive heart failure in Winston-Salem on Tuesday, January 18, 2011. Dr. Kelly retired after thirty years as professor of religion and philosophy at Salem College. He held degrees from Wofford College (BA), Yale Divinity School (BD), Princeton Seminary (MTh), Vanderbilt University (PhD) and Wake Forest University (MEd). He was active in numerous community organizations focused on racial equality and economic justice in W-S, including the founding and sustaining of Crossing 52, member of the Minister's Conference, Crisis Control Ministry of Winston-Salem, CHANGE and St. Anne's Episcopal Church. In addition to activism, Sid's spiritual quest was his lifework, which is clarified for himself and others in his memoirs, "A Strange and Wayward Life". However, the relationship Sid had with his wife, Beatrice Ackenbom, whom he married in 1979, was, undoubtedly, the sustaining joy of his life. No one was surprised when they died within days of each other. Sid is survived by his daughters: Joanna Kelly of Winston-Salem, Cary Kelly and grandchildren, Christian and Clea, of Atlanta, three step-children, Ray Ackenbom, Kathryn Lester, Bill Ackenbom, seven step grandchildren, and one great grandchild. Sid's family would like to thank the loving community of family and friends that provided three meals a week, as well as constant love and support, to Sid, Bea and their caretakers the past seven months. All of you made this difficult time not only easier, but surprisingly more joyful than anyone could have imagined. A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, February 5, at St. Anne's Episcopal Church at 2690 Fairlawn Drive in Winston-Salem. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Anne's Episcopal Church, Crisis Control Ministry or Hospice and Palliative Care Center.

Published in Winston-Salem Journal on January 23, 2011