Dr. Kimberly D. Kelsey

With deep sorrow, the National Funeral Directors & Morticians Association, Inc. announces the transition of Association Member and an Education Commissioner, Dr. Kimberly D. Kelsey, mother of Association Member, Adrianna Kelsey.

The National Funeral Directors & Morticians Association, Inc. sincerely sympathizes with the Kelsey Family. May God continue to watch over you all. We give you this one thought to keep, "Although it's difficult today to see beyond sorrow, may looking back in memory help comfort you tomorrow." Please keep her family and staff in your prayers during this difficult time.

A Life of Grace, Faith, and Service: Remembering Dr. Kimberly D. Kelsey

Salisbury has lost one of its most admired community leaders with the passing of Dr. Kimberly D. Kelsey, who entered her heavenly home on October 20, 2025, at the age of 61.

Born on June 19, 1964, Dr. Kelsey was lovingly raised by the late Mr. Aaron Renouard “Hootch” Kelsey and Mrs. Reba T. Kelsey, whose example of faith, compassion, and excellence shaped her into the remarkable woman she became.

A proud graduate of Salisbury High School’s Class of 1982, she continued her education at WSSU, where she earned her BS in Business Administration, followed by a Master’s Degree in Accounting and Finance from the UNCC. Her passion for service later led her to the Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service, where she earned her AAS in Mortuary Science, and ultimately to the University of Phoenix, where she received her PhD in Business Administration.

In 1994, Dr. Kelsey became a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer, continuing the legacy of her father at Noble & Kelsey Funeral Home, Inc. Known for her professionalism, grace, and compassion, she served families with dignity and care, earning statewide respect within the funeral service profession. Her leadership extended beyond her business—she was appointed by Governor Roy Cooper in 2023 to the North Carolina Board of Funeral Service, where she worked to uphold the highest standards of integrity in the field.

A woman of unwavering faith and quiet strength, Dr. Kelsey was a devoted member of White Rock A.M.E. Zion Church, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and numerous professional organizations, including FDMANC, NFDMA, and Epsilon Nu Delta Mortuary Fraternity, Inc. She was known for her honesty, courage, and deep respect for others, traits that defined both her personal and professional life.

Beyond her many accomplishments, Kimberly will be remembered for her radiant smile, her love of family and friends, and her joy in life’s simple pleasures—whether cheering for her beloved Dallas Cowboys, traveling the world, or spending time with her daughter, Adrianna, the light of her life.

Her influence will live on through the countless lives she touched, the families she comforted, and the example she set as a woman of purpose, poise, and enduring faith.

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength…” – Isaiah 40:31

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