Brenda Lowery Kelso

Brenda Lowery Kelso, 73, a devoted wife, loving mother, cherished grandmother, aunt, and sister, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, January 4, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

Brenda was born on May 29, 1952, in Harriman, Tennessee, to the late Samuel and Betty Miller Lowery. She grew up in Morristown, Tennessee, where she built the foundation of a life rooted in kindness, curiosity, and family.

In July of 1970, while working at Morristown-Hamblen Hospital, Brenda met the love of her life, John Kelso, Jr. They were married on October 3, 1970, beginning a beautiful partnership that spanned more than 55 years. Together they raised two children, Byron and Melissa, sharing a life filled with love, dedication, and adventure.

In 1980, Brenda and John moved to North Carolina, where they worked and raised their family. After retirement, they embraced a new chapter by purchasing an RV and traveling across the country as full-time RVers for more than ten years, creating countless treasured memories along the way.

Brenda had a deep love for history and was an avid reader. She found great joy in birdwatching and expressed her creativity through her talent as a watercolor artist. Her gentle spirit, curiosity, and warmth touched everyone who knew her.

Brenda was preceded in death by her parents; her sister and brother-in-law, Ann and Truman Coffee; and her brother-in-law, Mike Ruddle.

She is survived by her beloved husband, John Kelso, Jr.; her son, Byron (Claudia) Kelso of New Orleans, Louisiana; her daughter, Melissa (Timothy) Wood of Pinebluff, North Carolina; her brother, Steven (Kimberly) Lowery of Aberdeen, North Carolina; her sister, Carol Ruddle of Galva, Kansas; her granddaughter, Giovanna (Dakota) Pratt of Pinebluff, North Carolina; and her grandchildren, Abby Kelso and Dylan Kelso of New Orleans, Louisiana.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Brenda’s honor to the COPD Foundation P.O. Box 160112 Miami, FL 33116-0112 (Click to Donate) or the American Cancer Society P.O. Box 6704 Hagerstown, MD 21741 (Click to Donate).

A private memorial service will be held for the family.

Online condolences may be shared at PinesFunerals.com.

Powell Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Kelso family.