I am married to Stan Kelley and have two daughters who have given us four wonderful grandchildren. I'm a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church where I have been serving as a leader in our children’s Wednesday night program for about 30 years. I serve on the Missions Committee, in the nursery, am Coordinator for our Fall Festival, and sing in the choir (even though I probably shouldn’t) ha-ha! I love being with family and friends. I enjoy being outside, swimming, and participating in the classes at Dahlonega Fitness Center.
I head up (along with Pud English and Teresa Parsons) The Women of Jeremiah’s Place, a support group for the families living in our local homeless shelter, Jeremiah’s Place (named after the Bible verse Jeremiah 29:11). This has truly blessed my life! We do our best to better the lives of the residents by buying clothes, gifts for holidays, birthdays, items such as car tires, heaters for the residential units…whatever is needed that the ministry budget doesn't cover. They are trying their best to get on their feet and better themselves so they can transition out to a place they can call home. We just want them to know that a group of women care about them in the process. If any of you ladies are interested in learning more about this group, please visit https://lumpkincountyhomeless.org/the-women-of-jeremiahs-place/.
Stan and I both are retired; he teaches Sunday School at our church and does part-time mission work in other countries. Our oldest daughter, Brandi, has been teaching at White County Middle for 25 years. Our second daughter, Lindsey, is a PA at Valleyview Medical Center in Dahlonega. Our oldest grandson, Logan, teaches History at LCHS and his brother, Cooper, is a sophomore at UNG studying special education. Sarah Grayce is our vivacious, favorite granddaughter and is in the 3rd grade at LCES. Rhett is in kindergarten, and he is wide open as long as he’s awake!
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do (or did if retired)?
I retired in 2014 after working for 36 years as an Administrative Assistant for the U.S. Army Civil Service. I spent 10 years at Camp Merrill working with the elite Ranger Training Battalion, one year at Fort Bragg, and the remaining years in the Army ROTC Department at North Georgia College. It was a privilege to serve the best ROTC Cadets in the nation and work with some of the most wonderful Cadre at both locations. I would choose that same path all over again.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community and your favorite dishes there?
Well, my heart misses the Wagon Wheel greatly! That was a place where we would socialize with so many that I’ve known for most of my life and a place where I met some new friends. Roosters is a favorite of ours and I typically order their grilled Little Hen strips. Of course, I enjoy a good Junior Burger from Dipper Dan’s.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community? And if you moved here, where were you from originally?
I am a true “Nugget” and have lived in Dahlonega all my life, except for the two years that we lived at Fort Bragg, NC. I was born one block off the square in Dr. Woodward’s clinic. You can’t get much more “from Dahlonega” than that, can you?
Q: Who is the most interesting person you've met here in our community and why?
I’ve met a lot of interesting people in my life as I love talking with people and I get interesting “nuggets” from most people I speak with. One person that I enjoy talking to is Lynette Stowers. She is a native of Dahlonega and knows about the history of Dahlonega. Lynette has interesting stories to go along with the history.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Ireland…the landscape just looks amazing in all the pictures I see. You can’t go wrong with beautiful green grass, cliffs, and water!
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
“To Kill a Mockingbird” and “It’s a Wonderful Life” are two of my favorite movies. I enjoy watching “The Chosen” series and I enjoyed “This is Us”.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Oh, if you ask my family, I have LOTS of advice! Love God first, others next, and then yourself is my “general” advice. Be filled with humility and don’t take your relationships for granted. I always tell my girls that we are all one disagreement away from never speaking again…don’t let that happen in our family. I’ve seen it happen in other families so many times.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I’d love to travel back to Hawaii with all of our family. My grandmother always said that she wanted me to go to “Hi-wi-ur” before I died. Well, her wish was granted; it was beautiful, and I saw firsthand why she wanted that for me. I’d love to see them enjoy it as well.
Q: What is your go to band when you can't decide what to listen to?
Third-Day, Casting Crowns, and some good ole Marshall Tucker
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
My grandparents, Frank and Sara Christian, owned a motel and restaurant called Cherokee Motel and Restaurant; it was located where the UNG parking lot is behind Dress Up. Many of the locals ate there and many visitors to our town stayed there. It was a gathering place for locals from all walks of life.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y'all meet for this lunch?
Joan Lunden. I loved watching her on Good Morning America for years! She seemed like she would be personable and had a calming way as she spoke. We would enjoy a delicious lunch at Picnic Café and Dessertery where I would introduce her to Sam, Julia, and my favorite waitress, Katelyn. I know that she would fall in love with our town!
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
One of my many favorite things is how our community honors our Veterans. We are so blessed to have so many in our midst. I love our town for so many reasons, but I LOVE it at Christmas! Thank you to those of you who make it so magical!
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Pretty much doing what I’m doing now. Maybe a little more!
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don't know about you?
Well, my real name is Sarah, my siblings and I had a spider monkey as a pet, my Nana (Sara Christian) was a race car driver and both she and her husband, Frank, are in the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Hawaii —Stan and I went for our 25th anniversary and I enjoyed every single moment!
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
July is our family vacation time, Christmas because the Savior of the world was born and our entire extended family gathers together, and my birthday…it reminds me that I made it another year and it’s a time to reflect on all that went on in the past year.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
My husband, Stan…my rock.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
Jesus Christ-He made me in His image and, when I self-exam as I should, I want to be better. My family members also make me want to be the best role model that I possibly can be.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Lavender and I loved my Granddaddy’s Old Spice…sweet memories.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
A gathering place
