Mildred Monroe Kelsey, 83, of Chattanooga and formerly of Athens, passed away Sunday, May 27, 2012, at her home in Chattanooga.

A native and resident of Athens most of her life, she was a daughter of the late Rev. Dewey S. and Fannie Bohannon Monroe. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, George William Kelsey on Dec. 16, 2000; two sisters: Viola Hicks and Artense Arnett; and two brothers: Willard Monroe and Mansel Monroe.

She was a member of Westview Baptist Church and attended Morris Hill Baptist Church while living in Chattanooga. A former member of the Woodlawn Home Demonstration Club, she and her late husband, George, owned and operated Kelsey Kamper Korrall and were co-founders of S & K Auto Parts.

Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law: Ann and Jim Todd of Chattanooga and Faye and Pat Byrum of Cleveland; seven grandchildren and spouses: the Rev. Mark and Tara Wade of Liberty, Stacey and Laura Wade of Athens, Patrick and Crystal Byrum of Woodstock, Ga., Kelly Byrum Mikel of Cleveland, Leslie and Sean Turner of Chattanooga, Emily and Michael Laymon of Chattanooga, and Ashley Todd of Cleveland; nine great-grandchildren: Kelsey Wade, Christian Wade, Camden Wade, Caleb Wade, Carson Wade, Garrett Byrum, Kelsey Byrum, Brianna Mikel and Jack Turner; one sister, Betty Lee of Athens; two brothers-in-law: Leeree Hicks and Sam Kelsey and wife, Phyllis, all of Athens; and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be held at 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 30, 2012, in the chapel of Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home in Athens with the Rev. Mark Wade officiating.

The family and friends will assemble at 10 a.m. Thursday at McMinn Memory Gardens for graveside services. Pallbearers will be Jim Todd, Pat Byrum, Stacey Wade, Sean Turner, Michael Laymon and James Blazer.

The family will receive friends Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. prior to the service at funeral. Those unable to attend may send condolences to www.laycock-hobbs.com

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 7625 Hamilton Park Drive, Suite 22, Chattanooga, TN 37421, The Gideons International, P.O. Box 4, Athens TN 37371-0004, or Amedisys Hospice Services, 7161 Lee Highway, Suite 400, Chattanooga TN 37421.