Faye Elaine Kelly Dawkins

Faye Elaine Kelly Dawkins passed away on Tuesday May 27, 2025, peacefully at her home in Smyrna Delaware, surrounded by her family who never left her side. Born in Newark, New Jersey on December 26, 1949, to the late Richard and Marie Kelly, she was the third of six children. Faye Elaine graduated from Plainfield High School in 1968, attended the Taylor Business Institute, and later in her career went to Somerset County College for interior design. She started her career for AT&T as an executive secretary, eventually transitioning to a project manager within the Global Real Estate Division in interior design, where she showcased her knack for problem solving and excellent design capabilities. She retired from AT&T after 33 years of service and moved to Smyrna Delaware in 2006, where she lived out the remainder of her life. Faye Elaine was an easy-going person who was very well liked. She loved music, dancing, shopping and fine dining, never turning down a tasty meal. She loved playing cards, even teaching pinochle to any who showed an interest. Faye Elaine lived a full life. She married her high school sweetheart, Samuel Edward Dawkins, and had three children. Most admiringly was Faye Elaine’s love for her kids. They were always together; if you saw Faye Elaine, her kids were nearby. She guided and protected them in their early years and became best friends with them in her later years. Most of all, she treasured her many fond memories in the field ministry, sharing Bible truths with people she met. Faye Elaine studied the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses in Plainfield, New Jersey and got baptized in 1971. Her relationship with Jehovah was of utmost importance to Faye Elaine and she shared the good news of God’s Kingdom with everyone she would interact with. Faye Elaine had an uncanny ability to reach people in a deep and positive way. Assisting any who were in trouble and being a listening ear and loving support to all who needed Godly wisdom and advice. Even during her health decline, she spoke to all the nurses and doctors who cared for her, and they admired her conviction. Faye Elaine never wavered throughout her 54 Years serving Jehovah. Faye Elaine passed away after a long battle with leukemia and heart failure. In addition to her parents, Richard Carlton Kelly, Sr and Marie Allee Kelly, Faye Elaine was preceded in death by her brothers, Richard Kelly, Jr, Michael Kelly (Janelle) and Derrick Kelly. She is survived by her three children, Mia Dawkins-Hart (Steve), Patrice Dawkins, Kerel Dawkins; sister, Sylvia Kelly; brother Irving Kelly (Lorna); nieces, Nichelle, Katherine, Jane, Jennifer, Laciana, Jada, Jana, Jennifer Scott and Vennia; nephews, Mike Jr, Ryan, Darien, Richard, and James; and a host of cousins, all of whom she loved dearly. Memorial Services will be held at 3 pm on Saturday, June 14th, 2025, at The Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 440 Martin Ave, Maple Shade, NJ 08052.

Faye Elaine Kelly Dawkins

December 26, 1949 - May 27, 2025