Inez Goodin Kelley

KELLEY, GOODIN

Posted By: Betty Hootman-Volunteer
Date: 3/3/2014 at 20:43:45

A TRIBUTE
To Memory of Inez Goodin Kelley

And whether in life or whether in death,
In the blush of youth and later breath,
The deeds that we do, the life that we live,
May not be forgotten, as our best we give.

Words are inadequate to fully express the love and esteem we hold for one who has been such a dear friend. Her interpretation of life was meaningful.

I believe the following poem well reflects her endeavor, which we believe too, does not culminate in this life, but seeks its final crowning in the future life.

Each Day I Weave

“Each new born day is mine to do
Unfinished work begun
Upon another day, all though
The house, till lowering sun.
Let me not falter at my task,
Lest other hands should find
A tangled weave, I humbly ask
God’s help that I may leave behind
A lovely tapestry of life.
The colors truly mine, though wrought
In the golden threads of strife.
Luminous with self battles fought
And won; may there be given me
The tapestry I am weaving here.”

Inez’s life was receptive and actively responsive to those things which constitute high ideals, and reflected on those with whom she was associated.

Here was no only a religious nature, but deeply spiritual, exemplifying her trusting faith in Him who is ready to comfort ever willing to sustain; to make and keep a great calm within the soul, and when nothing else suffices do so.

She will be keenly missed in the home and by friends “who watched her craft sail away through the purple shadows of the Unknown Sea” --- a sense of loss, yes --- and yet, no regrets --- for all that loving care could do, was done, during her illness; and in His presence we know there is a joy and peace.

----Jennie Morse Peterson

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

INEZ GOODIN KELLEY
An Appreciation
By Estella T. Knott

Many hearts in Farmington were saddened last week when word came of the death of Inez Goodin Kelley in Spokane, Wash. on August 15, 1941. She belonged to everybody and greatly was she loved.

For fifty years I have enjoyed her friendship. A warm friend of any husband, who was her classmate, she readily shared her friendship with me. I have worked with her on innumerable committees, and never have I seen in her anything but womanly charm, serenity and cheerfulness.

Born in Farmington, Iowa, September 29, 1867, throughout her joyous childhood and ripe womanhood, her mind, her head, her heart, her soul, were spent in the interest of the community.

Friendly, calm and equable, with a talent for friendship, she had that rare ability of getting along with people while working daily with them.

Always at ease, no one ever felt abashed in her presence. Nor did she ever by word or look show superiority.

A devoted member of the Baptist church she served in every department and was organist year after year. She never thought of absenting herself from any service, nor from the midweek prayer meeting.

In giving out “pieces” for speaking on special days, if a child was dissatisfied and said “I don’t want this: I can’t learn it,” a co-worker might say “It’s that or nothing.” Inez would say with a smile, “O yes, you can; you know you can.” And the child ready agreed.

She was an invaluable member of the Mizpah Chapter No. 24 O. E. S., and Chapter O P. E. O. The Shakespeare and other local clubs enjoyed her membership and felt a loss when she left Farmington.

Her happy marriage to Joseph P. Kelley, a brother of Mrs. Ada Kehl, took her from us. They established their permanent home in Spokane, Washington. She decided that they would join a large church, where they would not be called upon for continual service.

But her talents were quickly discovered and she was soon working indefatigably in the church and other organizations.

The death of her husband, a few years ago, was a crushing blow from which she never recovered fully.

Her loyalty to her old home town never wavered. She was wont to say “The trouble with Spokane is, it is too far from Farmington.”

When she learned the Albert Beeson property had passed into the hands of others, she recalled past pleasures spent there and said “How many gallons of ice cream have I served at church socials on the Beeson lawn?”

A member of the first class graduated from the Farmington high school in 1884, she retained a strong interest in her classmates and the Alumni Association. She was also graduated from a Baptist college in Burlington, Iowa.

She never murmured in her illness. Her last words, when asked by a devoted niece, how she felt were “Just fine.”

Her life work is finished, and as divine law has set a limit to human habitation, she has gone to a better life beyond.

The world has been enriched by the life of Inez Goodin Kelley.

Source: Scrapbook of Unknown Origin, pages 78 & 79