Ms. Nell R. Patton- Kelly

Nell Rose (Patton) Kelly our beloved mother, grandmother, aunt and great-grandmother gained her wings on April 18, 2026, after 90 years. Nell was born September 29, 1935, in Harrisburg, Illinois. She was the third of eight children born to James and Lucille Patton. The family moved to Saginaw Michigan in 1941. Nell attended Saginaw Public Schools and graduated from Saginaw High School in 1953. After graduating high school, Nell enrolled in St. Mary’s School of Nursing where she was the first and only black nursing student. She was one of the founders of the Saginaw Black Nurses Chapter where she served as president, and in 2012, a scholarship was established in her name. Nell went on to receive her LPN and RN licenses from Delta College Nursing Program. While in the program she was elected President of the Nursing Class of 1971. Nurse Kelly was very dedicated to her profession. She was a First Aide Instructor at Delta college. She worked at Saginaw General Hospital, St. Mary’s Hospital, Saginaw Osteopathic Hospital, Hoyt Nursing Home and Saginaw County Commission. Nell was also a NAACP lifetime member. Nell leaves to cherish memories, two sons, Bryan (Anna) Patton, Saginaw, MI and John (Fonda) Kelly, Upper Marlboro, MD; one daughter, Kai (Randy Fletcher) Bailey, Springfield, TN; one sister, Linda Perkins, Ann Arbor, MI; one sister-in-law, Joyce Patton, Shreveport, LA; granddaughters, Bryanna, Keisha, Amber, Kiara, Bailey, Dara and Kaimila; grandsons, Reggional (Lori), Olando and Tony; god-daughter, Bridget (Flinnoia III) Hall, Detroit, MI; great-granddaughters, Raven, Tayonna, and Ciara; great-grandsons, Terrill, Tre’Von and Kai’Heir; great-great-grandson, Kingstyn; bonus granddaughters, Kwenci (Christopher II) Smith, Kenedi Hall-Clark and Kelsei Hall; bonus great-grandchildren, KaiCei Clark and Christopher Smith III; a host of nieces and nephews; special friends, Barbara Jenkins, Barbara Hill and members of the Mahogany Club. Ms. Nell Rose Kelly was preceded in death by her parents, James and Lucille Patton; daughter, Stephanie; son, William; brothers, James, William, Bernard and Jerry; sisters, Berniece and Bethany; daughter-in-law, Kimberly and bestie best friend, Dolores Cooper. Family hour will take place at 10:00 a.m. with the funeral service commencing at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, May 4, 2026 at Bethel A.M.E. Church, 535 Cathay St, Saginaw, MI 48601. Rev. P. David Saunders will officiate with interment in Forest Lawn Cemetery, 3210 S. Washington Ave., Saginaw, MI 48601. Visitation will take place from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. The Michigan Tri-City Nurse Honor Guard will conduct "A Tribute" at 10:45 a.m.

Ms. Nell R. Patton- Kelly

September 29, 1935 - April 18, 2026