As people from around the nation prepare to gather at First Baptist Church Fairhope, Alabama, Wednesday (Feb. 21) to celebrate the life of Rhonda Kelley, many continue remembering her as a mainstay in women’s ministry. Kelley, wife of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary president emeritus Chuck Kelley, died Feb. 17 after a lengthy battle with cancer. She was 72.
“Yesterday was the worst day of my life, but the best day ever for my beloved. I will take that deal 100% of the time,” wrote Dr. Chuck Kelley on the X social media platform. “Five years after her cancer journey began, Rhonda stepped into eternity about the time we usually had morning coffee. I grieve. She celebrates. God is wise and good.”
NOBTS President Jamie Dew said, “Along with the entire NOBTS and Leavell College family, we mourn the loss of our eighth first lady. Dr. Rhonda Kelley served with grace, dignity and compassion for over 23 years at our wonderful school. Her love for her husband and her Savior were a source of encouragement to us all.
“This is indeed, a very sad day for all of us, but we rejoice in the full assurance that we have in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, standing confident that we will see her again in glory,” Dew said in a statement on the seminary’s website.
Women’s ministry pioneer
According to a news release from the NOBTS website, Kelley, during her husband’s time as president, oversaw the women’s ministry certificate program, was an adjunct professor, hosted the “Word of Women” television broadcast and authored/co-authored books.
She also was managing editor for both “The Study Bible for Women,” published by Holman Bible Publishers in 2015, and for the companion titles “Women’s Evangelical Commentary” for the Old Testament and the New Testament.
The seminary in 2019 established the Dr. Rhonda Kelley Ph.D. Fellowship in Women’s Leadership in her honor to encourage academic excellence and service among female students.
She also received the Willie Turner Dawson Award for Christian character and denominational service during the Ministers’ Wives Luncheon at the 2005 Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting.
Church and SBC involvement
Kelley also was active in various parts of denominational life: First Baptist Church New Orleans women’s ministry director, Louisiana Baptist Convention executive board member, the Council for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, Women’s Ministry Network, the Seminary Women’s Network, Lifeway’s Bible Study for Life advisory board and the Leadership Training Consultant Ministry Grid and president for a term of the Southern Baptist Convention Minister’s Wives fellowship.
Kelley, the daughter of the late evangelist Bob Harrington (also known as the ‘Chaplain of Bourbon Street’) received degrees from Baylor University and the University of New Orleans. Additionally, she earned basic and advanced certificates in women’s ministry from NOBTS.
‘Confidence and kindness’
“Dr. Rhonda Kelley was a Proverbs 31 woman of wisdom,” Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn told the Baptist Message. “She will be missed by all but especially by her husband, Dr. Chuck Kelley. They were a great team. To think of one is to think of the other — exactly as it should be in a God-honoring marriage. I urge all Louisiana Baptists to pray for Dr. Chuck Kelley.”
Chad Gilbert, pastor of First Baptist Church New Orleans, said the Kelleys joined the church on July 1, 1975, and were faithful members until they moved their memberships to FBC Fairhope in November 2019.
“They were committed to being faithful church members wherever they lived,” he said. “Rhonda, as well as her mother, the late Joyce Harrington, who preceded Rhonda in death by only a couple of weeks, invested in countless women at FBNO.
“I have always deeply admired Rhonda’s genuine, faithful devotion to Chuck as her husband. When Dr. Kelley would preach, Rhonda was enthralled in every word he spoke, her heart so obviously grateful for the gift of a godly husband. Her beautiful blue eyes communicated confidence and kindness that allowed her to thrive as the seminary president’s wife. Her kindness to me as a pastor was a gracious gift of support and encouragement, and I will forever thank God for the legacy of faithful love she leaves.”
‘Inexhaustible energy and enthusiasm’
Jack Hunter, executive director for New Orleans Baptist Association, said her encouraging spirit and attitude of service will be missed.
“Rhonda Harrington Kelley, a prodigious author, editor, teacher and innovator was a comet across the Southern Baptist sky,” he said. “From her youth as a GA Queen Regent in Service until her final days encouraging and organizing women’s ministries, Dr. Rhonda Kelley has served the local church with seemingly inexhaustible energy and enthusiasm.
“Rhonda and her husband, Dr. Chuck Kelley, were inseparable in ministry and life, perfect compliments to one another,” he continued. “They were a synergistic duo that has blessed SBC churches for 50 years.
“Of her many splendid qualities, Rhonda was singular in her capacity to wholeheartedly forgive and embrace repentant sinners,” he said. “Such grace confounds mortals like me, but it also brings us nearer to the cross of Christ and the heart of God. Her New Orleans community grieves the loss of her friendship and leadership, but we do so in the certain knowledge that God has welcomed her into the presence of her Savior and that we’ll meet her again in the resurrection.”
‘She passed the torch’
Elizabeth Luter, the wife of Fred Luter, pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church, New Orleans, said Kelley’s heart for service was evident when the two helped plan multiple women’s events through the years.
“Rhonda’s heart for women to thrive in teaching and understanding the word of God goes beyond the norm,” she said. “She created so many opportunities for all who were inspired by her to join in on her passion. She passed the torch, and we’re determined to continue to light the flame.”
Funeral services will be held Feb. 21, 11 a.m. (with visitation starting at 9:30 a.m.) at FBC Fairhope. Interment will be at Claybar Haven of Rest in Beaumont, Texas, Feb. 23, 10 a.m. Funeral arrangements were arranged by Wolfe Bayview Funeral Homes in Fairhope.
Kelley’s memorial service will take place Feb. 26, 2 p.m., at NOBTS.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Baptist Message staff and originally published by Baptist Message. Updated details were added by The Baptist Paper staff with additional information available here.
