Mrs. Brenda Hitt Kelley
Mrs. Brenda Ann Hitt Kelley, a devoted wife, mother, teacher and mentor, passed away on Monday, January 5, 2026.
Born September 6, 1944 in Stephens County, she was the daughter of the late Bill Bob Hitt and Della Sue Hunter Hitt.
Brenda was a student at Toccoa Elementary and High School. She was a graduate of the Class of 1962 at Toccoa High School where she was a dynamic basketball player, tennis player, and voted most Athletic in her senior class. Coach Doris Bleckly inspired her in high school, along with Coach Carl “Red” Boyd, both of whom she adored, and they guided her in her career. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in health and education at Piedmont College. She received her master’s degree from UGA, and her six-year teaching certificate from Clemson University in Leadership and Administration. She was an educator for over 40 years. Brenda worked her summers managing the Doyle Swimming Pool in Toccoa for over 18 years. She taught Health and Physical Education for 28 years at Stephens County High School. She also coached Girls’ basketball and worked with Cheerleaders and the Majorette Corps. She was a principal for over 10 years. Brenda played a large role in the design and construction of the new middle school complex. She was also instrumental in creating and seeing her vision of the Stephens County High School gymnasium complex come to fruition. She worked tirelessly for grant approval for these projects as well. If you asked Brenda what her favorite part of teaching all these years was, she did not hesitate before emphatically responding, “All of it! Just ALL of it”.
After her retirement from the teaching and academic profession, she participated for several years in the CASA program (Court Appointed Special Advocate) where she became a volunteer to advocate for abused or neglected children in the court system.
She is a life-time member of the Toccoa First Methodist Church where she participated in all areas of the Church since childhood. She put her trust in God and believed. She lived a devoted life of love, support and understanding with her amazing husband James to whom she was married for nearly 63 years.
Brenda is survived by her husband, James Kelley; her daughter, Susan Kelley; her son, Clay Kelley (Gail Whiten); and her grand-daughter, Danielle Kelley.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Bill Bob and Della Sue Hunter Hitt, and her brother, Bobby Hitt.
The family will receive friends for visitation at Whitlock Mortuary Friday, January 9, 2026 from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
Funeral services will be held at Toccoa First Methodist Church on Saturday, January 10, 2026 at 1:00 PM with the Rev. Jerrell Beatty officiating.
Flowers are accepted as well as donations made to gacasa.org and dementiasociety.org.
Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers and sign the online guestbook at www.whitlockmortuary.net.
Whitlock Mortuary, Funerals and Cremations is honored to be serving the family of Mrs. Brenda Ann Hitt Kelley.