Delena Maria (Carson) Kelley
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Delena Maria (Carson) Kelley, 61, of Kissimmee, Fla., formerly of Du Quoin, passed away at her home in Kissimmee, Fla. at 2:00 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2011.
Delena was born Oct. 2, 1950 the daughter of Olyn and Marie (Howerton) Carson. She married Frank Kelley, son of Bill and Kathleen "Tootie" Kelley of Du Quoin, on Aug. 25, 1971 at Pinckneyville. They have one daughter, Carrie (Kelley) Kufta of West Palm Beach, Fla. She is also survived by her mother - Marie Carson of Benton, Ill.; her brother, David Carson of Macon, Ill.; sister, Doreine Carson Beck of Chicago, Ill. and mother-in-law - Kathleen "Tootie" Kelley of Du Quoin.
She was preceded in death by her father; father-in-law and sister-in-law, Mary Lou (Kelley) Foutch.
Excelling at public speaking and drama, she graduated from Du Quoin Township High School in 1968 before obtaining a degree in education from Eastern Illinois University in 1971. She found herself in a very successful sales career, alongside her husband, working for Mid Atlantic Network in Pennsylvania and Virginia. As the Director of Sales for multiple radio stations, she grew a sales department that would rival a major market radio station. Along the way she influenced the lives of many. She coached and counseled her staff; they were her extended family and she their surrogate mom. Frank and Delena retired to the Orlando, Fla. in the early 2000's. Dabbling in a few small projects to keep busy, she always came back to coaching and sales training.
Many people knew Delena when she was young and while she grew up in Illinois. Others knew her during her professional life. Delena was a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother, an aunt, a mentor and a friend. She is greatly missed.
Graveside services were at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011 at the Sunset Memorial Park at Du Quoin with Rev. Gerald Wright officiating.
Those attending the service were asked to go directly to the cemetery.
Burial was in the Sunset Memorial Park at Du Quoin.
Friends may make memorials to the Vitas Hospice Foundation for End-of-Life Care, 5430 NW 33rd Ave., Suite 106, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33309 or at http://vitascharityfund.org/contact.htm.
Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin was in charge of arrangements.
For additional information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.searbyfuneralhomes.com.