Karla Renée Kelley, of Washington, DC, died peacefully in Baltimore, MD on November 5, 2019 after a brief illness. She was born June 3, 1963, in Galesburg, IL to William E. Kelley, Sr and Joan Milam Kelley. She was raised in the Lawrence Avenue Church of Christ in Galesburg, where she was baptized. Her faith in God guided her steps and she lived a life worthy of true Christian values.

Karla was the sixth of seven children. She was a beloved sister to all of her siblings. She is survived by brother Robert L. Smartt (Cindy Gordon) of Princeton, NJ, and sisters Karen Kelley-Ariwoola (Joseph) of Minneapolis, MN and Manda M. Kelley, Washington, DC. She was the best Aunt and friend in the world to nephews Solomon A. Ariwoola and Samuel A. Ariwoola (Minneapolis, MN), and niece Keyanna Renée Kelley (Washington, DC). She is also survived by her Aunt Hattie McCurry (Cleveland, OH) and boyfriend, Karl Mixon (Galesburg, IL) along with a host of cousins, other relatives and friends, all of whom loved her deeply and dearly. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, her siblings B. Gayle Goolsby, Katrina Ann Kelley and William Edward "Ed" Kelley, Jr., as well as several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Karla had an active childhood. She was a lifelong Girl Scout and traveled to Liberia and Mexico with scouting as a young girl. She graduated from Galesburg Senior High School where she was a member of the volleyball team and had many friends. She participated in activities at Carver Center during her youth sparking her lifelong commitment to community.

Karla attended Western Illinois University and graduated in May of 1991 with a Bachelor of Science in Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration with an emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation and a minor in Psychology. During her undergraduate days, she became a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta as part of the D.S.M.I.A. line. Her love of Delta continued her entire life and she treasured her friendships dearly. She also earned her Masters of Science in Recreation, Park and Tourism from Western Illinois University in May of 2006. Karla was a member of NRPA (National Recreation Park Association) and was a member of the NRPA Awards and Scholarships committee; and the National Afterschool Association. She earned multiple leadership and training certificates including Leadership Alexandria, Class of 2010; Certificate Supervisors Management School (2006); and Certificate of NRPA Directors School (2017) among many others. Karla was a certified trainer for Fish Philosophy as well as the National Coalition Building Institute Leadership for Equity and Inclusion. Karla was proud to be a Certified Park and Recreation Executive. She believed strongly that children and families--especially in Urban areas--deserved the highest quality recreation programs.

Karla's love of working with the elderly and teens guided her career path to becoming a distinguished leader with a 20 year history of working at the intersection of community needs and assets, programming and policy solutions. She was passionate in her belief that all people's needs should be met regardless of their race, ethnicity, class or community status and made sure there were programs created and implemented in every aspect of her life. She had a unique leadership style that was quiet but impactful. She would never ask anyone to do something she wasn't willing to do herself.

Karla understood the value of community and was determined to help the communities she served build effective and engaging programs that would create positive and lasting outcomes for current and future generations. She began her career working at Iona Senior Services as the Program Coordinator at the Adult Day Health Center (DC) followed by being the Director of Programs and Activities for Thomas House Retirement Community (DC). She continued her career as an Assistant Director and then Director of Charles Barrett Recreation Center for the City of Alexandria (VA), the Program Director for The University of Illinois Extension of Knox County (IL),

Karla's experience also included working for the City of Takoma Park (MD) as the Recreation Manager of Teen Programs; Senior Director of Out of School Time Programs for the Campagna Center in Alexandria (VA); and Area Manager, then Regional Manager for Community Recreation  for the Department of Parks and Recreation (DC). At the time of her death, Karla was the Chief of Programs for the Bureau of Recreation for the City of Baltimore Department of Recreation and Parks (MD).

Karla loved her profession, her coworkers and the people of the communities with which she met, interacted and dedicated her life. She lived a life of loving service and anyone she came in contact with was better for it. She was incredibly committed and close to her family and the love that she showered us with will be with us forever.  She will be deeply missed by her family, friends and everyone who had the opportunity to meet her. May she rest in power and peace.

Services will be held on Monday, November 11, 2019 (visitation 10 am - 11am; services at 11) at Cedar Hill Funeral Homes Chapel, 4111 Pennsylvania Ave., Suitland, MD with burial to follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Suitland, MD. Repast to follow at Fort Stanton Recreation Center, 1812 Erie St., SE, Washington, DC 20020. Karla was a life-long blood donor. We encourage everyone to consider donating blood. Memorials are requested to organizations serving urban youth and the elderly.