Betty Lou Robinson Kelley, 88, formerly of Dover, Delaware, passed away on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at Spring Arbor Senior Living in Winchester, Virginia, where she had been a resident for the past four years.

Betty Lou was born in 1936, in The Plains, Virginia. She was the daughter of the late George W. Robinson and Elizabeth Brady Robinson.

She graduated from James Wood High School in June 1954 and married Ronald “Terry” Kelley December 26, 1954, in Hagerstown, Maryland. They moved to Dover, Delaware where Terry was stationed at Dover Air Force Base. Betty Lou lost her beloved husband on January 14, 1996, and continued to live in Dover until her move to Winchester in 2020.

Betty Lou was very athletic. She was a member of the bowling team at James Wood and was the pitcher for Winchester Toledo Scales Women’s Softball Team, 1953-1954.
As a teenager she worked as a server at the Wayside Inn in Middletown, Virginia, making money from the tips she received. After moving to Delaware, she was employed as a food clerk for A&P Grocery Store and then began her career with Sears Department Store, working her way up the ladder to Department Manager. She retired after 40+ years and received numerous awards for excellence in customer service.

Betty Lou was a Master Gardener and enjoyed being outside working in her beautiful flower beds. She had a green thumb and could make anything grow. She was an avid walker, belonging to a “Walking Club”, she would begin every morning with a brisk 5-mile walk, meeting her group at Dover Mall

Betty Lou loved the beach. She enjoyed walking along the shore, picking up seashells and soaking up the sunshine. It’s even rumored that she participated in drag racing on the beach. Betty Lou loved boating and she and her husband could be found relaxing on the weekends at their “beach getaway” in Back Bay, Rehoboth.

An excellent cook, Betty Lou could set out a feast for an army and you never left hungry. She enjoyed cooking, entertaining and planning cookouts for family reunions, bringing a carload full of food from Delaware to Middletown, every holiday.

Betty Lou was a member of Whatcoat Church of Camden and worshipped via livestream with Opequon Presbyterian Church while at Spring Arbor.

Surviving are her brothers, George “Richard” Robinson, and William “Bill” Robinson, along with many nieces and nephews who she loved as if they were her own.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Ronald “Terry” Kelley, two sisters, Evelyn Bryant and Mary Ann Guard; sisters-in-laws, Frances “Carol” Robinson and Connie Robinson along with several nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held on Monday, March 25, 2024, at 10am with a service to follow at 11am, held at Omps Funeral Home, Amherst Chapel with Pastor David Witt presiding. A graveside service will be conducted on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at 1pm at Camden Odd Fellows Cemetery in Camden Wyoming, Delaware with Pastor Dave Hills presiding.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Betty Lou to Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 W. Cork Street, Suite 405, Winchester, VA 22601, or Whatcoat Church of Camden, 16 N. Main Street, Camden, Delaware 19934.