Kathaleen P. (Dawson) Kellums

Kathaleen Patricia Kellums (nee Dawson) age 85, loving wife of the late Thomas, passed away peacefully with her children at her side on Saturday October 21st . Kathy & Tom were married on April 7, 1956, married 64 years at the time of his passing in 2020. Her children, daughter Charisse (Robert Dawes) and son Daniel were the loves of her life. She was the daughter of Charles and Mary Dawson, both deceased. She was the youngest of their ten children, aunt and great aunt of many. Kathy was an office administrator throughout her career, most recently with Flats Oxbow Association, Berea Chamber of Commerce and the Cleveland Southwest Safety Council. She truly felt working in the non-profit segment was where she belonged. She believed in community involvement, first as Berea Jaycette President, Berea City School District PTA President and President of the first Midpark High School PTA. She would say her most significant involvement was with Business and Professional Women (BPW)/OHIO. A member of Berea BPW she served as President. She held officer positions at the Local, Region and State levels with BPW. Kathy served as BPW/OHIO President in 2004-2005 and returned ten years later to serve as President again in 2014-2015. BPW/OHIO advocates for women personally and professionally; she was a strong advocate for women, mentor and resource for many. All who knew her will remember her as a determined, organized, realist who encouraged others to be the best they could.

In lieu of flowers, contributions requested to Church Street Ministries, 1480 West Bagley Road, Berea, OH 44017 or BPW/Ohio PAC, 16 Stanhope Drive, Chillicothe, OH 45601 (must include name, address and phone number).

Funeral Services will be Saturday, October 28, 2023 in the funeral home at 1:30 PM. Final resting place will be at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery (to be announced at a later date).

Her family will greet friends from 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM at the A. RIPEPI AND SONS FUNERAL HOME, 18149 BAGLEY RD., MIDDLEBURG HTS (WEST OF I-71).

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