Energetic Maymie Kelly has a love of Franklin County. Her children have moved away, but she wanted to create a legacy in her community. Maymie established the Orbin and Maymie Kelly Scholarship in 2003 in the Franklin County Community Foundation. It provides a scholarship for Franklin County High School graduating seniors who wish to study education or nursing and have demonstrated financial need.
Maymie and Orbin met in New Trenton, Indiana, and on September 16, 1936 were married in the United Methodist Church in Brookville. They purchased a farm on a hilltop one mile east of Brookville on State Road 252, where their roots went down deep in the rich Indiana soil. They have three daughters and sons-in-law: Janet and Ron Hofer, Judyth and Ken Kaplan and Bonnie and Don Rick, seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
They were all involved with Church, 4-H, and community service. Maymie was a 4-H club leader and later served on the 4-H Fair Board. She and Orbin were Rural Youth advisors. The joy and fabric of their lives was keeping busy and being with friends and family.
Orbin not only farmed, but worked with the A.S.C. office, the Farmer’s Mutual Insurance Company, Farm Bureau and served on the Franklin County Health Board. After a long illness with emphysema, he passed away March 3, 1989. He took away some of the laughter, but left them with a “Master’s Smile” and a map to Heaven.
Maymie avoids the cold Indiana winters by spending four months in Florida. Each year adds blossoms to the bouquet of special memories along her way. No matter where she travels or how long she’s gone, Brookville will always be home.