Celestine McKellips

Celestine Laura McKellips, 84, of Savannah, TN, passed away on May 14, 2023. 

She was born on May 24, 1938, to George Fernandez and Rosa Jacintho in Maui, Hawaii. She was one of four kids and graduated high school on the island. She married Robert Lee McKellips (1935-1994) on January 19, 1957, in Kailua, Oahu, Hawaii, and together they had seven children before settling in Savannah, TN, after he was honorably discharged from the United States Marine Corps. 

She enjoyed showing off her Portuguese heritage and Hawaiian traditions with her children and grandchildren. She was an avid gardener and shared her love for exotic flowers and plants with her family and friends. Her yard is remembered for her annual Halloween decorations and her colorful array of flowers in blooms throughout the spring and summer. She enjoyed game nights with her children and grandchildren and night fishing on the river. She was also a member of the Catholic Church in Savannah and loved attending midnight masses during the holidays. 

She is survived by her seven children; Lenora McMeekin, Esther McKellips, Crystal (Tuffy) Christopher, Kitty (William) McKellips, Robert (Sondra) McKellips, Thomas McKellips, Matthew McKellips; her 16 grandchildren; Azsure (Greg) Anderson, Chalice, Suzzette (John) Bird, Nicholas (Waupi) Paul, Melody (Claudio) Rossi, Ginger (Carlo) Prelle, Celena (Joshua) Greenier, Ryan (Lindsey) Dayton, Laura Lee McKellips, April (Justin) Hall, Will (Branden) Paul, Nathan McKellips, Corey (Chantil) Christopher, Trista McKellips, Heather Chambers, along 32 great-grandchildren, several great-great grandchildren; one sister, Bernadette Talley, and several nieces and nephews.