Joyce Kelly Would Have Loved These New Schools

Daughter of School Board Member T. H. Montgomery and Secretary to Central High principal  J. A. Smith passed away last week before seeing the new School Complex

by Woody Jenkins, Editor

CENTRAL — Historically, the two men who have had the greatest influence on the Central community were Mr. T. H. Montgomery, who represented Central on the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board for 42 years, and Mr. J. A. Smith, who served as principal of Central High School and Central Private School for a combined total of more than 30 years.

The common link to those two men, who loom so large in the history of Central, was a bright, bubbly young lady named Joyce Montgomery Kelly.  She was Mr. Montgomery’s daughter and the secretary to Mr. Smith and other Central High principals for 34 years.

“What a contrast she was to Mr. Smith!” Central school board member Sharon Browning remembered.  “He was tough as nails, and she forever had a smile upon her face!”  Apparently, the combination of the two was a winning formula for Central!

In all of Central, there is hardly anyone more loved that Miss Joyce, a person who brightened up any room and made everyone feel better about themselves.

I first met Joyce Kelly when I was working on a series of stories on the life of J. A. Smith.  She was so willing to help, eager to preserve the memory of J. A. Smith in the Central community.  She would bring me Central High yearbooks and countless mementos to help me understand the significant events in the life of Central High and the principalship of Mr. Smith.

What a joy she was to be with!

It wasn’t long after that that age began to show its effects on Miss Joyce.  Yet, everytime I saw her, there was still the joy and love for her fellow man that every single person who met her will remember.

On Monday, July 30, 2012, Joyce Montgomery Kelly passed away at the Carpenter House at the age of 86.  What a shame it is that she couldn’ t live a little longer and see the magnificent new schools that the people of Central have built to keep alive the legacy of learning, which were so cultivated by T. H. Montgomery, J. A. Smith, and her.

Joyce is survived by her husband of 69 years, John W. Kelly, Jr.; her son, John W. Kelly, III and daughter-in-law, Maureen of Mandeville; her daughter, Tara K. Bryan and son-in-law Jim of Daytona Beach, Fla.; four grandchildren, Bailey Rose Kelly, Luke Montgomery Bryan, Paige Victoria Bryan, and Shea Rebecca Bryan; two sisters, Nel Rose Bailey and Carmel Christine McLaughlin; two brothers, Thomas H. Montgomery, Jr. and his wife Lou and Kenneth Craig Montgomery and his wife Betty; and ten nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas H. and Wilma C. Montgomery and a nephew, Thomas H. Montgomery, III.

We send deep condolences.