Carolyn Jean Kelly

Carolyn Jean Kelly, 80, of Philpot passed away peacefully Thursday, May 21, 2026, at her home. The Daviess County native was born April 9, 1946, to the late Ernest Foster and Zelma Johnson Foster. After Jean graduated from Daviess County High School with the class of 1964 and Kentucky Wesleyan College in 1968, she went on to enjoy teaching elementary school at Philpot, Masonville, Deer Park, Thruston, Whitesville where she was also a beloved teacher and librarian, and also finished her Masters degree at Western Kentucky University while teaching. She enjoyed traveling all over the country and once to England, the horse races, buying new shoes for no reason, and going to lunch with her fellow “Red Hat” Club friends. Although Jean never had any kids of her own, she was definitely a mother to all. Jean was a beautiful woman and a lovely soul she was kind, selfless, loving caring and funny. She taught many children with love and care. She encouraged many to read books to have great adventures through stories written by the best authors. She loved to teach and read a great book. She loved her flowers that grew faithfully to greet her in the springtime. She loved the lord and enjoyed going to church with her family and friends. She loved her family and friends in a way that you knew the lord broke the mold when he blessed the world with Jean. She was loved and respected by many, she will be missed and live on in the hearts of the family and friends and all that she touched in her beautiful life.

In addition to her parents, Jean also was preceded in death by two of her siblings, Maurice in 1985 and Dorothy in 2020 as well as her great nieces, Morgan and Gracie.

Those left to cherish her memory include her brother, Darrell Foster of Whitesville; nephews, Rick, Barry, Brian, John (Julie); nieces, Jane and Chancely; great nephews, Kevin, Elijah, and Amir; great nieces, Payton and Maggie; sister-in-law, Brenda Kelly.

The funeral service for Jean Kelly will be 10:00 am Wednesday, May 27, at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory. Visitation will be Tuesday from 3:00 until 7:00 pm and Wednesday from 9:00 am until the time of service. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Sunrise Children Services, 3180 W Parrish Ave, Owensboro, KY 42301.

Condolences and memories for Jean’s family may be left at www.glenncares.com.