Annie Pearl Osborne Kelly

Our beloved “Pearl” entered this world on Sunday, October 10, 1943, in Montgomery County, Tennessee, daughter to the late Mariah A. Bell Osborne and the late Charles H. Osborne. She went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. In addition to her parents, her husband, Richard J. Kelly, Jr.; sister, Barbara Washington, and brothers, Edward, Charles and Fred Osborne preceded her in death.

 At the age of 10, Pearl accepted Christ and was baptized – becoming a member of Mt. Nebo Baptist Church. She attended school in the Montgomery County School System and was a graduate of the Historic Burt High School, Class of 1961. Following high school, she relocated with family and her Uncle to the Edwards Air Force Base in California where she lived for 3 ½ years. Afterwards she moved to Nashville where she attended Tennessee A&I College now Tennessee State University. During that time, she united with Jefferson St. Missionary Baptist, dutifully serving as an Usher.

 On July 3, 1982, Pearl united in holy matrimony with LT. Richard J. Kelly, Jr., and they were the proud parents of two children. She enjoyed employment with the Davidson County Courthouse as a Criminal Court Clerk, retiring on June 30, 2004, after many years of dedicated service.

 Pearl had a love for sports, in particular softball and volleyball; these games also became favorites for others in her family. She played on numerous softball leagues in Nashville, including Shelby Park, Old Hickory Park, Hadley Park, and West Park. Another favorite sport was bowling, for which she won many prizes and trophies. In her latter years, Pearl joined the “Looby High Steppers Dance Team”. This dance team was later named the “Senior High Steppers”. They performed at many events. After retiring from the group, she continued to maintain an active lifestyle by regularly walking 2-3 miles, five days a week. She also participated in several plays that were written by her friend and fellow member of J-Street Missionary Baptist Church, Margaret Beach.

 Pearl, along with surviving family members and siblings, moved to their beloved parents’ homestead in Clarksville, TN. She and several of her siblings have built homes on the property originally owned by their parents. She continued to live there until her transition and true Homegoing.

 Pearl is survived by her son, LeRyan Kelly, Clarksville, TN and her adopted daughter, Latisha Osborne, Chattanooga, TN; five grandchildren: Ryan, Rylan, Sheldon, Jacquan and Brandy; sisters: Helen Andrews, Doris (Vivan) Fairrow, Bessie (Edward) Trice, Birdie Miller; brothers: Michael (Cassandra) Osborne, Joe Osborne, Jesse (Shelia) Osborne, William Osborne, James Robert Osborne, John Osborn; sister-in-law, Annie Osborne; brother-in-law, James Washington and innumerable and devoted family and friends, and her J-Street family