Emma Gene (Fowler) Kelly, of Niles

Published 9:11 am Thursday, October 9, 2014

March 25, 1940 — Oct. 5, 2014

Emma G. (Fowler) Kelly, 74, of Niles, went to be at her eternal rest on Sunday, October 5, 2014, surrounded by her loving family.

Mrs. Kelly was born on March 25, 1940 in Caruthersville, Missouri to Earnest and Dorothy (Fordson) Fowler.

At a young age Emma accepted Christ into her life and was baptized. She has been a faithful member of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church since 1961, where she has served in many capacities. After graduating from Niles High School, Mrs. Kelly furthered her education at Lake Michigan College. She worked for several years at both Simplicity Pattern and AT & T. She enjoyed her time working at Howard Ellis Elementary where she worked in the Food Service department.

On Nov. 29, 1958 Emma married Edward E.W. Kelly at a ceremony in Buchanan. The couple have enjoyed almost 60 years together.

She was preceded in death by her mother Dorothy (Fordson) Fowler and two brothers Bruce and James Odell Fowler.

Mrs. Kelly leaves to cherish her memory her father, Earnest Fowler of Niles; beloved husband, Edward E.W. Kelly of Niles; five children, Deborah Kelly of South Bend, Brian A. Kelly of Niles, Jheri (Marcus) White of South Bend, Vernita Kelly of South Bend and Angela Kelly of Niles; seven grandchildren; a host of great-grandchildren; her sisters, Marilyn Fowler of Niles and Ruby Smith of South Bend; brothers, Leonard Fowler of Atlanta, Georgia and Ernie (Deborah) Fowler of South Bend; and three special childhood friends, Helen Hurd, Eileen Yarber and Marvine Nicks.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, Oct. 10, 2014 at 1 p.m. at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church 601 Ferry St. in Niles with Pastor Bryant L. Bacon, Sr. officiating. A time of visitation will begin one hour prior to the services. An interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Those wishing to leave a message for the family, upload a photo of Mrs. Kelly or send their condolences may do so at our website at

www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com or on our Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/BrownFuneralHomeNiles.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles.