Mrs. Theresea Kelly Utley, of Aberdeen, North Carolina entered into eternal rest on Friday, October 17, 2025, at FirstHealth Hospice and Palliative Care in West End, North Carolina. 

Theresea Verbal Utley was born on August 27, 1938, to the late William Kelly and Jettie Kelly Walker in Aberdeen, NC. She departed this life on October 17, 2025, in Pinehurst, NC.

Theresea was educated at Chelsea School of Aberdeen in the Jackson-Hamlet Community and Our Lady of Victory in Southern Pines, NC, and she continued her education at Berkley High  School. She furthered her education at Sandhills Community College and became the first black female Certified Auto Mechanic in NC.

Theresea relocated to NY, and while there, she sought and was licensed as a VIP Home Health Aide by the NY State Department of Health.

She was a life member of the Elks Club, rising to Daughter Ruler, serving on many mission trips.

She married the late James M. Verbal, and to this union, seven children were born. Four children preceded her in death, two as infants, James Edward and Katherine Y. Verbal.

Those left to cherish fond memories of Theresea are, three daughters, Sharon V. Green (Charles), Clarissa V. Nealy (Ricky), and Jane V. McAllister; nine grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; six great, great grandchildren; four sisters, Lucy Tanner of Capitol Heights, MD, Carolyn Kelly of Brooklyn, NY, Flo Kelly-Foster, of Durham, NC, and Brenda Kelly Brown of  Aberdeen, NC; one brother, Samuel Edward Kelly (Mable) of Murfreesboro, NC; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Please keep the family and friends of Mrs. Theresea Kelly Utley in your thoughts and prayers. 

Arrangements are entrusted to McLeod Funeral Home of Southern Pines, North Carolina.