Isabella Joy Kelly

Isabella Joy Kelly, 4 of Walkersville went home to be with the Lord at John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore on December 7, 2023. Her fight for life came unexpectedly, but her love for her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ still shows brightly to all who know her.

Born April 11, 2019 in Frederick, Maryland, she was the daughter of Christopher and Jennifer Kelly and leaves behind her older sister and brother, Rebecca and Andrew Kelly. Despite her young age of four, she will be remembered for the joy and happiness she brought to everyone and her passion for Jesus. She loved being the first to pray at bedtime and meals. She hated to see others sad and loved to crawl in a lap, give a hug and turn a frown upside down with her fingers. “Why are you crying? Don’t be sad!” was a common phrase that she would use. Perhaps, she didn’t want us crying because she knew her time was short.

Many called her a cutie with her sparkly purple glasses and her bubbly personality. While she was often sassy and strong-willed, she often made others feel special. With some family members, she loved to run up and throw herself at them to give them a big hug. She simply expected that others would catch her if she threw herself at them.

She loved to dance. Her life was filled with joy, and dance was its ultimate expression. She had just started her first year at Elite Feet Dance Studio after watching with great anticipation the recital of her sister the previous year. She was doing the dance at her seat while her sister did it on stage! She also expressed her heart and joy in her art. She enjoyed spending time making art for others and expressing herself in that art.

Her time in AWANA Cubbies brought her to a knowledge of Jesus which she shared with several others in conversation within the months of her death. She mentioned at her bedside that she trusted Jesus as her Savior because Cubbie told her within the months before she left us. Her heart was genuine and her caring for others was great. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her!

A viewing will be held on Sunday, December 17, 2023 at 2:30-4:00 PM at Fredericktowne Baptist Church in Walkersville, MD. A service in her memory will be held at 4:00-5:00 PM at the same location with a reception to follow from 5:00-7:00 PM. Please wear purple (or pink) if possible to the funeral in honor of her favorite color. For flowers, please send them to Stauffer Funeral Homes at 1621 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick, MD 21702. If you wish to help the family during this trying time, you may contribute at https://www.givesendgo.com/isabellakelly.