Ruth Elizabeth (Tanaka) Kelly

Listen to this obituary

Ruth Elizabeth Rehm Tanaka Kelly, 78, died at 11:55 PM Monday, October 10, 2022 at Sanctuary Hospice House after a brief battle with cancer. Ruth had a wonderful life filled with adventure, grace and love. Born in Stranberg, Germany on January 5, l944 to the late Charlotte Rehm Tanaka, she was adopted by Mutsuo Tanaka and took his name.  Ruth spent the first 11 years of her life in the Munich, Germany area where she attended private schools and lived with her grandparents.  She was joined with her dad in 1955 where they made their home in Verona.  Ruth quickly learned the English language and became an American citizen. She graduated in l962 from Tupelo High School, married James Raymond Kelly on December 22, l962 in Florence, Alabama and attended Dental hygiene school.  For several years thereafter, she worked in a dental clinic in Fulton and for Brasfield Dental Lab in Tupelo. She spent the rest of her working life in the furniture industry as an Inspector for Action Industries.  Ruth had a contagious personality, a sweet smile and warm disposition.  She enjoyed socializing and was a primary leader of the German Club of Northeast Mississippi for years.  She relished the whole of her life her Bavarian heritage, believed monthly nail salon visits were a must and loved encouraging her family and friends through life’s journeys. A master at crochet, her baby blankets and booties were treasured gifts given all across the county.  Her dry wit, her genteel spirit and her love of God, family and “all things good” will long be remembered.

A service celebrating her life will be held at 1 PM Sunday, October 16, 2022 from the Sadie M. Holland Memorial Chapel at Holland Funeral Directors-Tupelo with Rev. Fawn Keen officiating.  Visitation will begin at 11:30 AM Sunday only at the funeral home. Private burial, at a later date, will take place in the Kelly family plot at Gilvo Cemetery.   For those unable to attend, the service may be viewed at www.hollandfuneraldirectors.com/Livestreaming at 1 PM Sunday, and will be permanently archived thereafter.

Ruth is survived by her husband of 60 years, James. R. Kelly; her daughter, Michelle Kelly Mauldin (Bobby) and her granddaughter, Kelly Mauldin all of Tupelo and her very much loved puppy Sophie.  Significantly, Ruth was the only child of her parents born in 1924, she was born in 1944, her daughter was born in 1964 and her only granddaughter in 1994.  She also leaves special lifelong friends, Glenda Yarber Crowe (Ellis) and their daughter, Jessie Johnston (Chad), sister in law, Jean Willis (Ramon and Donna), and many other “children” over the years that Ruth loved and nurtured.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Stanley Kelly, Horst Althausen, Scott White, Neal Jackson, and German Club Members.