Elizabeth Jarratt Gammon Kellem

Elizabeth Jarratt Gammon Kellem passed away at age 75 (one month shy of 76) on Friday, April 28, 2017, around 3:30 p.m. at Mission Hospital in Asheville, NC. Born in Halifax Co., VA, on May 30, 1941, to Annie Chapel Gammon and Rev. Leonard Willis Gammon, Elizabeth studied in Florida to become a Registered Nurse. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Carl Kellem, and one of her brothers, Cary Mauldin Gammon. In addition to being a nurse for over 40 years, she went back to school to earn a second degree, a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. Elizabeth used those skills for several years successfully at Medallic Art Company in Danbury, CT, and as Secretary on the Board of RAPOR Incorporated. She also worked with the Head Start program of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, helping to ensure that young children from low-income families would be ready for school. She returned to nursing as a school nurse for an elementary school, returning to her love of children. During the last several years of her and Carl's 24-year stint in Danbury she worked as a visiting nurse. Elizabeth was an intelligent woman who found success in the things she chose to focus upon, overcoming her own fears, and loved helping others, along with those less fortunate. Here are a few more examples. She was an artist, creating lovely oil paintings that both of her sons have displayed in their homes. In Danbury, she learned Spanish to help teach and tutor English as a second language. Though she didn't know how to swim and was initially afraid of the water, she sailed with her husband in the ocean over many years, including Long Island Sound to Boston and the British Virgin Islands. She and her husband Carl loved hosting a big 4th of July bash at their home throughout most of their 24 years in Danbury; they continued the tradition in Corydon, IN, until Carl passed away in 2006. They originally met in Florida at a dance; Carl knew he just had to talk with this lady, even though he didn't really dance. They were married for 41 years. They finally danced together, again, many years later, over a long period of time at square dance events. They also loved playing bridge and hosted many bridge tournaments at their Danbury house. Survivors include: her brother, David Willis Gammon of Richmond, VA; son, Jeff Kellem of Mountain View, CA; and son, Daniel C. Kellem, his wife Erin, and their two children (Elizabeth's grandchildren) Jeremy and Emily of Asheville. The memorial service will be held on Tuesday, May 2, 2017, at 4:00 p.m., at Asheville Gospel Chapel, 350 Old Haw Creek Rd., Asheville, NC 28805. Burial will take place at a later date at Heidelberg United Methodist Church Cemetery, in Corydon. The family suggests memorial gifts in Elizabeth G. Kellem's name to the following organization: CEF-Camp Good News, P.O Box 1872, Fairview, NC 28730-1872 http://www.campgoodnewsnc.org/donations.php Groce Funeral Home on Tunnel Rd. is assisting the family.