Kelly Mari Handy

Albany- Kelly Mari Jimpson Handy, the youngest daughter born to Edwin Donald and Mary Blake Jimpson, was born December 6, 1961, in Albany, New York. Kelly was educated in the public school system of Troy, New York, graduating in 1979 from South Colonie Central High School. Kelly was involved in the school chorus, theater production, drama club, and excelled in academics. As an honor roll student, Kelly was inducted into the National Honor Society.

Kelly furthered her education and attended the State University of New York at Plattsburgh, and later the College of Saint Rose, where she graduated with a master's in education. Kelly was employed as Director of Special Education at the Mary E. Dardess school in Chatham, NY, Director of Special Education at the Shalmont Elementary School, special education teacher at School #2 in Troy, NY, then later promoted to District Administrator for the Troy City School District (grades k-12). Kelly took a leap of faith and became owner and operator of Above Grade Level Home Tutoring program, devoting her life to helping young people.

At a young age, Kelly accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior. She later joined the fellowship of Sweet Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, under the pastorate of the late Reverend Willis F. Bruton.

Now for over 20 years, Kelly has been a faithful and dedicated member at Sweet Pilgrim where she served as a Sunday school teacher, faithfully attended bible study, a member of the Sweet Pilgrim Church Choir, the scholarship ministry and trustee ministry. As a result of her faithfulness to God and His people, Kelly was appointed as Chair of Trustee, a position she faithfully served for 20 years. She loved and adored the young people she worked with at Sweet Pilgrim. She took great pride in molding young minds for Christ in the beginner's class.

To know Kelly was to understand her great love for her "beloved Isaac." Kelly and Isaac were united in Holy Matrimony on October 11, 2003. For the past 19 years, they walked together in life and love. Kelly was. A devoted wife.

After a brief illness, Kelly transitioned from life to life eternal peacefully at home. In addition to her parents, Edwin Donald and Mary Blake Jimpson, Kelly was predeceased by her brother, Blake Jimpson.

Celebrating a legacy of love are, her husband, Deacon Isaac C. Handy III, her sister, Reverend Dr. Gloria Jimpson, sister-in-law, Pat Jimpson, nieces, Leslie (Isaac) Cancer, and Nate (Oscar) Hassell, A cousin, Donald Barrett, brother-in-law, Deacon Solomon (Reverend Betty Jean) Jenkins, a host of other relatives, friends, and the Sweet Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church family.