Tommie Kelley

Lucy Thomasine Powell Kelley “Tommie”, of Suitland, Maryland, passed
peacefully with her husband by her side Saturday, June 6th, 2026. Tommie was born November 8th 1953, in Norfolk, Virginia, to the late James and Myrtle (Davis) Powell. Tommie grew up in the Churchland neighborhood of Portsmouth, VA, with her sister Charlotte. She was one of the first students to integrate the Portsmouth public school system. Tommie’s intelligence and hard work gained her multiple Bachelor degrees at both the University of Virginia and University of Maryland, along with Masters programs at both American University in Washington DC and Villanova University in Pennsylvania.

Tommie met the love of her life, John Kelley, and they were happily married for a wonderful 46 years. After graduating from UVA, Tommie worked as an on-air personality and DJ at several radio stations in Charlottesburg, VA and Washington DC in the mid-1970s. After graduation from UMD, she worked in computer operations and satellite systems. 

While in Germany, she started Kelley Consultants International (KCI), a consulting company supporting US and NATO forces across Europe and Asia as well as commercial and US government clients in the US. She operated the company for 23 years until her Alzheimer's diagnosis at which time she shut down the company and retired. Tommie loved travel, ballet, the theater, and art. 

She read history, poetry, romance, and fantasy. She had a lifelong love of learning. She especially loved music. She had a beautiful voice and sang in choir for most of her life, beginning as a child in her father's church and ending at Saint Philip the Apostle church. Tommie was brilliant, usually the smartest person in the room. She was kind to everyone; loving, confident, anxious to help people. 

Tommie was very charismatic, people were naturally drawn to her; quick to make friends, slow to make enemies. Most of all, she was full of joy. Tommie is predeceased by her parents, sister Charlotte, and brother Phillip. Left to cherish her memory is her Husband John Kelley, sisters Naomi and Rebecca, and brothers James, Lewis, Caleb, and Reuben. 

Family and friends are welcome to gather Saturday June 20th, 2026, from 11am-1pm at Lee Funeral Home, Inc., 6633 Old Alexandria Ferry Rd, Clinton, MD 20735, with a Funeral Mass to immediately follow at St. Philip Catholic Church, 5416 Henderson Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Interment will be private.