Gloria Jean Kelly - Kimbrough November 8, 1956 - May 23, 2023

Gloria Jean Kelly-Kimbrough (Mother Kelly), 66 of Cincinnati OH, formerly of Youngstown OH, went home to be with the Lord on May 23, 2023, surrounded by her family.  Gloria was born on Nov 8, 1956, daughter of Willie Allen and Earnesteen and James Shavers Jr. She was a 1976 Graduate of The Rayen High School and Choffin Career Center and later attended Harding Business College. She was employed for many years as a paralegal at various companies in Youngstown and continued her career after moving to Cincinnati.

Living for a short time in St. Louis, MO, from birth her mother raised her three girls in the Holiness Church/COGIC. It was not unusual to be in church from morning into the night time hour, setting an example and foundation that would serve them a lifetime. After moving to Youngstown OH, as a young girl, Gloria attended Church of Hope and later after her mother remarried, she joined Zionhill Baptist Church, actively participating in many groups like the usher board, Youth Group Sunday school teacher and singing in the church choir where she developed her love for singing which she continued through adulthood.

As a young married woman, she began to walk in her calling of serving the Lord through study, Praising His Holy name through song, and actively participating and leading the Youth Ministry. Their calling also included mentoring other young married couples also called into ministry and being mentored by her spiritual family at New Hope Baptist Church and Spiritual God-Parents Elaine and Roosevelt Griffin (with The Galatian Gospel Singers, Youngstown OH). Upon becoming a "First Lady" herself, she enjoyed being called to minister the word at various churches, conferences and to whomever she would encounter that needed a word of encouragement, this particular gift continued until her passing. She rejoiced in serving the Lord and raising her three children. When asking her whereabouts her answer was usually – "In Church".  She had a love for dressing up for church, wearing her hats and heels, and a love of beautifully decorating her home and inviting others over for bible study.

Life being full of ups and downs of raising children, twists and turns of divorce and establishing a career, Gloria always relied on her faith to get her through, of which she never wavered or grew faint (Isaiah 40:31). Coming from a huge family of singers and self-taught musicians on her mother's side, she furthered her singing voice by organizing or joining several gospel groups that traveled throughout the Youngstown, Warren and Akron areas, spending many joyous hours in Praise. Often volunteering to lead or break out in song with the Parker Family wherever her favorite uncle was preaching.

Gloria was a person who Loved God and was called into the ministry under the tutelage of Apostle Mason of Youngstown. She moved to Cinti in 2008 to be closer to her children and family. While here she was a faithful member of Bethlehem Church Ministries Inc. for 10 years under the leadership of her beloved Bishop and Spiritual God-Parents, Theotis Gilbert and First-Lady Robbie Gilbert.  Later joining New Beginning Apostolic Faith Church under the leadership of Pastor Anthony Frye until her death. Even through her sickness she often found her way to church, even when she did not feel up to it, but always felt better upon leaving.

"Glory-Jean" as her family called her, loved spending time with her baby-sister (Debi), going to Findley Market, grocery/clothes shopping and out to eat and especially flower shopping for their gardens in the summertime. Gloria loved planting and getting compliments on her front porch, she was often seen sitting outside waving and talking to neighbors and strangers alike and engaging with the little kids. Before taking ill, she loved to cook and was always the designated macaroni-and-cheese maker for family gatherings. Through her illness, she delighted in video chats with her great-grandchildren which she endearingly called "the ba-bays" and she was their Gi-Gi.

She leaves to cherish her memory, three children: Daria Allen and Danae Kelly of Cincinnati, Calvin Kelly Jr. of Denver Colorado; 10 grandchildren and 3 great-grand-children. Her sisters: Mary Saulsberry of Youngstown OH, Debi Harris of Cincinnati OH, Carolyn Shepherd, Shirley Cosbo and Harold Woods of Lansing MI. Sister-in-law; Maxine Shavers, Compton CA and a host of nieces, nephews, and huge contingent of cousins from both the Parker/Shavers families who also consider themselves cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents James and Earnesteen Shavers and big brother John Shavers that passed away in October 2022.

Visitation is from 11:00 am to 12:00pm,  on  Saturday, June 3, 2023, at the Praise Tabernacle Apostolic Church, 6317 Highland Ave, Cincinnati  (45216).   The funeral service will immediately follow the visitation beginning at 12:00 pm.

To share a memory of Gloria or leave a special message for the Kimbrough family, please click the "Tribute Wall" tab above and to the right, enter the information, and click "Save Post."

Herbert T. Walker III and Walker Funeral Home, 2625 Gilbert Avenue, Cincinnati (45206)  are honored to serve the Kimbrough family.  Please call 513.251.6200 or visit www.HerbWalker.com for additional information.