Mrs. Barbara V. Kelly, 96, of Pyrites, New York died peacefully at her home, where she was in the company of her loving family and beloved caregiver on Saturday, December 26, 2020.
Barbara was born September 26, 1924 in Fulton, New York, the daughter of Fred and Gladys Vant. After graduating from Fulton High School in 1942, she attended and graduated from SUNY Oswego in 1946. She began her career in teaching with kindergarten students in Camden, New York and continued at Mexico Academy from 1947 to 1952. Barbara married James J. Kelly, an army veteran, teacher and dairy farmer on January 15, 1953 at St. Paulâs Catholic Church in Pyrites with Rev. Whittaker, celebrating. The couple shared 61 years of marriage. Jim predeceased her in 2014. For the next 35 years she taught at Knox-Memorial in Russell until her retirement in 1989.
CHURCH HILL â Hawkins Countyâs two âofficialâ Christmas decorating tours each announced their participant winners last week, with a Church Hill family successfully defending their 2019 New Canton Plantation title, and a 100-year-old Rogersville home earning the Heritage Associationâs award.
Last year, Hunter and Amanda Jackson, who own New Canton Plantation in Church Hill, opened their historic home up to the public for a Christmas event that included caroling, childrenâs activities and treats.
The event raised more than $3,000 for the Of One Accord ministry.
A public event wasnât possible this year due to the pandemic, but the Jacksons did bring back one aspect of last yearâs program, the Christmas lights tour. For a $20 donation, families entered their home, which was judged partly with votes that cost $2 each.
ROGERSVILLE â With many people exercising social distancing and other pandemic precautions, self-guided Christmas light hunting has become a major pastime for anyone out looking to safely scrounge up a little holiday cheer.
Hawkins County is hosting a couple of self-guided Christmas light tours including a Rogersville Heritage Association event that replaces the annual indoor Christmas Tour of Historic Homes.
This yearâs RHA Christmas tour features 10 homeowners who have entered an exterior decorating contest and have agreed to be judged by the public online.
New Canton Plantationâs fundraiser tour
Thereâs also a self-guided tour of homes in Church Hill which was organized by New Canton Plantation owners Hunter and Amanda Jackson as a fundraiser for the Of One Accord ministry.