Mother Mittie J. Kelley

August 22, 1948 - December 13, 2021

Mittie Jewel Kelley, 73, of Dover, Delaware, died peacefully on Monday, December 13, 2021, at Bayhealth Hospital, Dover Delaware. Mittie was born August 22, 1948, in Cocoa, Florida. She was the daughter of John R. Holmes and Mittie L. Holmes. She married the love of her life, Ernest E. Kelley September 21, 1968, in Melbourne, Florida. He preceded her in death on December 8, 2009. Mittie Kelley was lovingly referred to as “Mom or Mama Kelley” by many. She was a Godly woman of virtue, from Proverbs. Words cannot capture the impact she left on the lives of people all over the country. She made every person feel like they were the most important person in the world with her words of encouragement and love. Her prayers were timeless and will live on forever. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the apples of her eye. Mittie was employed at Dover Air Force Base, as the Chief Equal Employment Opportunity Officer (EEOC). In her role as the EEOC, she was accomplished and received a great number of awards and recognitions. In 1993, she received the Brigadier General Archer L. Durham Award in the Civilian category in recognition for outstanding achievements and contributions toward the goals and objectives of the African American Community and the Dover Team. In 1994, she was awarded the Air Mobility Command Nominee of the Air Force Distinguished EEO Award Black Employment Program; 1995 Comptroller Division Civilian of the Quarter; 1998, the 436th Wing Staff Civilian of the Quarter (CATD); 2003, Distinguished Equal Employment Opportunity Award for Management Action; 2008, The Department of the Air Force United States of America Equal Opportunity Director of the Year; 2010, A1 In Wing Manager of the Year in the Department of the Air Force Air Mobility Command. She retired after almost 40 years of Civilian Services to the Dover Air Force Base in 2011. Mittie served as a member of the Equal Opportunities Commission for the City of Dover as well. Mitte was a lifelong member of the Pentecostals of Dover Delaware, where she started out under the leadership of the late Wayne R. Trout and Dr. Janet Trout. She also served faithfully under the current Pastor Anthony and Tammy Trout. She was commonly referred to as a prayer warrior, mom of the church to many, intercessor, soul winner, events coordinator, Abundant Life Teacher and Women’s Leader. Mittie could plan a wedding and a funeral in the same week. In addition to her husband, Mittie was preceded in death by her parents, John Holmes and Mittie Holmes; four brothers, Horace Holmes, Lee Norris Holmes, John T. Holmes and Johnnie Holmes; sister, Bessie Sykes; and great-grandson, Quaivere Hunter. Mittie is survived by two sons, Jerard Kelley of Cocca Beach, FL and Jerome and Kimberly Kelley of Houston; two daughters, Dawn Kelley of Magnolia, DE and Joyce Leatherbury (Andrew Leatherbury) of Dover, DE. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Severa Hunter, Kellé Washington, Niketta Duncan, Charlisse Washington, Kalyn Kelley, Deijah Scales, Joscelyn Morgan, Ernest Leatherbury, and Jazzmyn Leatherbury. In addition, she is survived by her great-grandchildren, Sai’von Moore, Hassan Hunter, Quaivohn Hunter, Qimani Hunter, Nikenzie Duncan and Majesty Washington; siblings, Ethelene Smith, Willie Fred Holmes, Richard Homes, Darnell Kelley, Patricia Holmes and Robert Holmes; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.