WINSTON-SALEM - Beatrice Ackenbom-Kelly, 70, died peacefully in her home on January 20. She was born on October 21, 1940 to Colonel Everett Luckenbach and Isabella Bell. She grew up in a military family residing in various cities in the U.S. and Germany. In 1956 she married Charles Ackenbom and had three children. In 1961 Bea graduated from West Virginia Wesleyan College. She was an elementary school teacher, a co-founder and director of Camp Friendship, co-founder and director of a Home for Children and a foster parent. In 1977 Bea earned her Doctorate in Special Education from the University of VA, moved to Winston-Salem and became a professor at Salem College where she met the love of her life, Sid Kelly, they married in 1979. In 1986 Bea completed Law School at Wake Forest University and established a law practice before retiring 10 years later in order to pursue personal interests. Bea's hobbies included reading; she was a member of her book club for over 30 years, painting and dancing. She was an active member of her church, St. Anne's Episcopal. Until the last few weeks, she continued to live life to the fullest; surrounded by family and friends, she continued to enjoy painting, making sweets, and quilting. Bea was preceded in death by her husband, Sidney Kelly on January 18, 2011. Bea is survived by her children: Ray (Erin) Ackenbom, Kathryn (Darius) Lester, Bill (Andrea) Ackenbom, Cary Kelly and Joanna Kelly, nine grandchildren, one great grandchild, two brothers and one sister. A Memorial Service will be held at 2 p.m., Sunday, February 6, 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 or the Hospice and Palliative Care Center of Winston-Salem.

Published in Winston-Salem Journal on January 23, 2011