Brenda Ellen Harper Kelley

Brenda Ellen Harper Kelley, 83, quietly passed away on May 1, 2026 at Alamance Regional Medical Center. She was born on September 3, 1942 in Chatham County, North Carolina to the late Bartimus Harper and Ann Elizabeth McDaries Harper and was married for 50 years to James Richard Kelley who survives.

Brenda retired from Lucent Technologies as a buyer analyst. She attended the former People’s Church under Rev. Max Allman. She was always a quick thinker and talker that spoke her mind quite often. She was very outgoing and loved to be around people. She loved her flower garden of many varieties.

Brenda’s legacy is one of unwavering love and commitment as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend, who will be sorely missed but gently remembered in the hearts of all who knew her.

Brenda is survived by her husband, James Richard Kelley of the home, sons: James Matthew Kelley, Daple Clevland Riley III and Darren Daryl Riley; four grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Along with her parents, Brenda was preceded in death by her sister, Judy Overman and a brother, Jerry Harper.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Association.