You know
I could write a whole book, but I decided to write a short blog to make an
important point. When I realized that I
loved Ray with that forever kind of love, I wanted to be sure that it was God’s
will – that it was the right thing to do for both of us. I was working at Mission Services in Joliet,
IL, at that time, and he was at KCC. One
night down on my knees I prayed and cried at the same time that if we were not
to be husband and wife that God would let some other girl take him. It was a terrible prayer!!!! I knew there were other girls looking at
him!!! But, after a time (albeit a short
time), we knew we were meant to be together.
One in the Lord. ‘Til death do us
part.
Therefore,
our wedding prayer, sung so beautifully by our friend, Margaret Cook (Ho), was Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Us. And He has led us through these 50
years.
Please email jwkelley7@gmail.com to submit a picture/story to be published on this page.
Shirley
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From Chuck Benford
I can't think of many stories , but I do recall one week of camp at howell's Mills camp the first year I met Ray and Shirley. I was a student at K.C.C.\K.C.U. in The New Horizon, the college's traveling, recruiting group. My birthday was during the week and somehow they learned how much I liked watermelon. For dinner they had a watermelon brought out with my birthday candles in it.
Pictures are from the time they ministered together at Winston Salem Bible College.
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From John Bliffen
I loved the video! Your Mom and Dad were a great model of a marriage for Becky and I. Congratulations on their 50th!
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From Jay & Beulah Eastman
February 13, 1964, was a very significant date in our lives. Not only was it the wedding of Shirley (Beatsy) Hilton and Ray Kelley, it was the night we started dating. After the wedding and a little flirting at the reception, Jay and I walked back to the campus together. It was not allowed, but we stood out front of the dorm for over 1/2 hour and talked and laughed and just plain enjoyed each others company. It was after that we were inseparable. So, thanks Shirley and Ray for a wonderful evening and the beginning of a wonderful friendship that has lasted over the years. We will celebrate our 50th in January.
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From Fay (Kelley) Dressler
One thing I remember is that they got married on February 13. (Wouldn't February 14 be more romantic?). The reason for a Thursday evening wedding on February 13 - there was a basketball game between KCC and CBS on Friday night!
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From Lew & Barb Hooker
Congratulations, Ray and Shirley Kelley, on your 50th wedding anniversary!
Lew has fond memories of being at KCC with you in the late fifties and the
early sixties.
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From Doug & Margaret Hylton
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From John Johnson (pictures at Mid-South Christian College)
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From Crystal Laidacher
I heard about the website you’re putting together for your Mom & Dad’s 50th
Anniversary. What a great idea! I hope I am not too late in sending
this. They were such a blessing to me and to the DCC family. Every
time I think
of Ray and Shirley I smile. It’s hard not to when nearly every memory I
have of them includes them smiling. They have always exuded joy. Even
during some of the difficult conversations I don’t remember ever
walking away without a smile. I can be quite
hard-headed and sometimes when the Registrar and the Academic Dean had
conflicting ideas your Dad always approached these situations with
wisdom, respect for my opinion, and encouragement to persevere even if I
didn’t get my way. He often used humor to help
show his perspective and it always served to remind me that we were on
the same team and that often a minor setback was just that…minor. They
have not only encouraged me professionally but also in my personal walk
with Christ. They walked these halls as
living examples of a successfully marriage as God intended. One of my
favorite memories of Ray especially is the way he would seek out
students of color and make every effort to learn all he could about
them. He knew all the students and it never failed
to amaze me how many details he had learned about each student. Joyful
encouragers, faithful friends, wise mentors, and proclaimers of the
gospel to all…this is what come to my mind when I think of Ray and
Shirley. Congratulations on 50 years!
Blessings—
Crystal D. Laidacker, M.Ed. (’82, ’96)
Registrar
“Educating and Mentoring Students to Be People of Influence,
Under God’s Influence, for a Life of Influence.”
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From Latanya Lucas (pictures at Winston-Salem Bible College)
From Ellie Otake
Hau'oli male 'ana (Happy Anniversary), Ray and Shirley...from across the Pacific Ocean!
CONGRATULATIONS on your 50th Wedding Anniversary!
I have many precious memories of my time at KCC, and among them was getting to meet you both.
What
stands out in my memory of you, Shirley, is your wide-eyed enthusiasm
and your great smile/laughter that made everything exciting and FUN! I
recall our jumping about at cheering practices and then cheering our
basketball team on at the games.
Ray, you were
that quiet young man with a ready smile and thoughtful kindness,
reminding me of your mother. (I loved being in her German language
class and wished she knew how much it helped me in my communication with
a wonderful friend from Switzerland who was such a great supporter of
our Christian school.)
Thank you for your deep devotion and service together to the Lord all these years.
Wish I could be there in person to give you hugs and wish you well. So happy you have a loving family who will be sharing in your very special celebration.
May the BEST of God's blessings be yours on the the 13th and in the years ahead!
With LOTS of Aloha,
Ellie Otake
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From Tom Thomas
What an example to us all on love!! Honoring Christ through your marriage!! Thanks Ray and Shirley!!
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From Don Young
From Ray & Trish Kelley Zavala
I've been trying to think of something wonderfully cute and world changing to say! But I can't! As your Dad's big sister I always thought of him as my "big brother". He may not have known this but in my mind (I can't remember if I ever said it out loud! -- getting old) I was very protective of him and wanted the very best for him in his choice of a wife. So then he picks an "older" woman (and all that entails!). Finally I adjusted to that and I accepted the inevitable. Shirley was in Joliet at Mission Services and I was in my senior year at K.C.C. and took her place there. When they pushed the wedding up to February from the summer, everything happened rather quickly. All I remember is that I cut the cake and helped serving. But even though I forget a bunch there is a lot I remember. Shirley has been the best wife ever for my little brother. (All of my fears were never realized!) She's been a great sister-in-law. In fact, when I refer to my sisters she's one of them and Warren Ray is the after thought. (No offense to him -- just a compliment for her!) She was a great daughter-in-law for our mother when they were on campus with her and I wasn't. They both have served the Lord together from the very beginning to now. They have exhibited what a great marriage should be. I'm proud to claim them as a wonderful sister-in-law and brother. Congratulations and Happy 50th Anniversary!!!!
