Marce Kellum

Marceline Darby Kellum Tupelo - Marceline Darby Kellum, age 89, swam the chilly waters of the River Jordan and successfully reached her eternal home in Beulah Land Saturday, September 19, 2015. She was born October 24, 1925 as the firstborn child of Roy Darby and Lillian Blackburn Wadley Darby in Arkabutla, MS. She grew up during the Great Depression. That fact and the additional childhood hardship of losing her mother when Marce was seven years old shaped characteristics that her family valued and loved such as thrift, determination, and the ability to make the best out of any situation. Marce loved learning. She graduated from Arkabutla High School in 1943. She attended Northwest Junior College for two years and then completed her studies at MSCW with a degree in Elementary Education. She taught First Grade in Benoit, MS, American History at Sunflower Junior College in 1950, and numerous private art classes. The luckiest recipients of her teachings of lessons in life and in overcoming obstacles were her five hellions (sons). While she had no formal military service, she did serve her sons as an able drill sergeant when they required it. They hope to duplicate her positive approach to life with humor that is best summarized by the following words she often said: "Everybody's got to laugh a little!" They hope to emulate her grace, inner beauty and quiet dignity. She married Dr. Joseph L. Kellum in 1949 and began a lifelong journey with him that continued for 56 years from dental school until his passing in 2008. For many of those years she worked with him in his dental office; for all those years she was a homemaker who maintained a happy home. She was a longtime faithful member of the church of Christ, having worshiped with the West Main, Saucier Creek and Gloster Street congregations. On several occasions she served as a Sunday School Teacher. She and her husband Joe enjoyed serving on two Medical and Dental Mission Trips to Guyana in South America with Partners in Progress. Marce was active in the community. She was a founding member and first president of the Northeast MS Art Association. She was president of the Rankin School PTA and the Woman's Literary Club. She was a member of the Charter Commission for the City of Tupelo in the mid 1970's that reorganized our form of city government. She was very proud of her membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution. Marce was a lifelong artist with watercolor being her favorite medium. Her efforts and talents culminated in her becoming a Signature Member of the Southern Watercolor Society. Some of her many other interests included fishing with her husband and sons, camping, singing, genealogy, and studying wildflowers. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and her sister Karen Gregory of San Rafael, CA. She will be missed by a large family who loved her dearly. Survivors include her five sons: Dr. Les Kellum (Angela), Dr. Dan Kellum (Tanya), Dr. Roy Kellum (Susan), Dr. Mark Kellum (Joy), Dr. Tom Kellum (Bobbi); fourteen grandchildren: Jennifer Kellum White, Joseph Leslie Kellum III, Jackson Kellum, Charlie Kellum, Samuel Kellum, Dr. Chris Kellum, Kate Kellum, Dr. Bradley Kellum, Mary Chris Kellum Moore, Payne Kellum, Dr. Tyler Kellum Jeter, Darby Kellum Kilpatrick, John Thomas Kellum and Neilly Kellum; seven great-grandchildren; her wonderful caregiver Marti Hollimon:and a host of nieces and nephews. Services will be Tuesday, September 22, 2015 at 2 PM at Gloster Street Church of Christ with Bro. Chad Ramsey officiating. Visitation will be Monday, September 21, 2015, from 5 - 7 PM at W. E. Pegues, Tupelo as well as one hour prior to the service Tuesday at Gloster Street Church of Christ. Pallbearers will be Spence Kellum, Dr. Andrew Kellum, Ray Kellum, Dr. Ken Kellum, Griff Loftis, and other nephews and grandsons. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Partners in Progress Missions, PO Box 13989, Maumelle, AR 72113 or Sanctuary Hospice House, PO Box 2177, Tupelo, MS 38803.