Mrs. Carol Jean McPherson Kellam, better known as Mickey, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, at age 83. She was a resident of Commonwealth Senior Living on the Eastern Shore and was formerly of Silver Beach.
Mickey was the oldest of four children born to the late Muriel and Bruce McPherson in Dunnville, Ontario. She earned her registered nurse degree in 1963 from St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. She went to Europe as a traveling nurse, where she met P.C. Kellam Jr., who was stationed in Germany. Upon returning to the U.S. in 1965, they tied the knot in Snow Hill, Md., and began their 60-year marriage.
Mickey worked as a registered nurse at Northampton-Accomack Memorial Hospital in Nassawadox, was a home health nurse for Northampton County Health Department, and completed her career as a nurse with Accomack County Health Department.
Mickey had many hobbies, including gardening, playing tennis, painting, woodworking, basket weaving, wine making, and playing bridge. She enjoyed cheering on her daughters as well as her oldest granddaughter at their sporting events.
She was a member of Bethel United Methodist Church in Jamesville, where she enjoyed singing in the choir. One of her proudest accomplishments was becoming a naturalized citizen in 1996.
She is survived by her daughters, Julie K. Gilliam (Jeff) and Susan C. Kellam (John); her grandchildren, Sydney Kellam-Elliott (Hunter), Riley Gilliam, and Jake Gilliam; her great-grandchildren, Kairo and Avalei Elliott; her brother, Jim McPherson (Bonnie); her sister, Debbie Dutcher (Vic); and her sister-in-law, Vicki K. Baxter; as well as numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Mickey was predeceased by her husband, P.C. Kellam; her oldest daughter, Peggy L. Kellam; her brother, David McPherson; her in-laws, Madge and Pres Kellam; her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Ronnie and Anne Kellam; and her brother-in-law, Gary Baxter.
The family would like to thank Commonwealth Senior Living at the Eastern Shore for their care and dedication to Mickey during her time there in the Sweet Memories unit as well as Hospice of the Eastern Shore.
A memorial service will be held Tuesday, Nov. 25, at Doughty Funeral Home at 1 p.m., with the Rev. Tammy Estep officiating. A reception at the Exmore Moose Lodge #683 will follow the service.
Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association Southeastern Chapter, 6160 Kempsville Circle #322a Norfolk, VA 23502; Bethel United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 224, Jamesville, VA 23398; Riverside Hospice of the Eastern Shore, P.O. Box 615, Onley, VA 23418; or to Eastern Shore SPCA, P.O. Box 1164, Onley, VA 23418.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.doughtyfuneralhome.com
Arrangements were made by Doughty Funeral Home in Exmore.
