d.

Ila Faye Cox Kelley, 84, of Hickory, passed away on Thursday, May 25, 2023 at her residence following a period of declining health.
Ila was born July 28, 1938 in Wilkes County to the late Ernie Cox and Minnie Church Cox. She was very active in the Meals on Wheels program and at the Granite Falls Senior Center. Ila loved her family and helping people.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her daughter, Linda Caudle; brothers, Wade and J.C. Cox; sisters, Hazel Sanders and Sarah Cox; and great-grandson, Eric E. Hildebran.
She is survived by her husband, Charles Joe Kelley; son, Darrell Johnson; daughters, Teressia Bowman, Sabrina Hamby, Robin Gouge, Nancy Tomlinson, and Lisa Shuford; and six step-children. Also surviving are twenty three grandchildren and forty seven great grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at 11:00 AM in the Chapel of Heritage Funeral Service with Pastor JC Bradley officiating. Interment will follow at  Woodlawn Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, May 28, 2023 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Heritage Funeral Service.
The family would like to say a special thank you to Carolina Caring for all of their assistance during this time.
An online obituary and guestbook is available at www.heritagefuneralservices.com.
Heritage Funeral Service and Crematory in Valdese, NC is assisting the family.