Biographies of Emma Kelly

Sub-series A holds genealogical and personal information about Emma Kelly, George Kelly and their ten children. The family histories of both Emma and George are quite extensive, and there are many files devoted to these rich subjects. Of particular interest is the Cave family (see also Series V, Clippings) and the Lee-Beasley family (see also Series V, Clippings). George Kelly was a member of Georgia's Civil Air Patrol, and his certificate is housed in an Artifacts box. This series also contains prose pieces written by various Kelly children: an essay to George and Emma on their 45th Wedding Anniversary by their daughter Jackie Kelly, a book by Ross Kelly entitled, The Top Ten, and essays by an anonymous author about both Emma and Pat Kelly. There are also letters to deceased relatives, biographical sketches of Emma (one sketch has the name "Joe Odom" printed at the top of the page) and personal miscellany that testify to Emma's community involvement. One item is a photocopy of a scrap of paper on which Emma had written the names of civic and religious organizations, as well as the number of years she had been involved with each of them.

Perhaps the most significant aspect of Emma's later life was her relationship with the Savannah-born songwriter Johnny Mercer. Unavoidable references to Johnny Mercer appear throughout the collection, and it is appropriate to include him with Emma's family series. Information pertaining to Mercer in this series includes lyrics to a Johnny Mercer song sent to Emma in Savannah, a program from a 1976 memorial service to Mercer and two articles commemorating Mercer's life. Additional information on Johnny Mercer can be found in Series V, Clippings.