Uleta Small Kelso

Uleta “Lee” Small Kelso, of Grants Pass, was promoted to Heaven on September 8, 2007.

A memorial service will be 11:00 am, Wednesday September 12, 2007 at Rogue Valley Community Church in Rogue River. A viewing will follow from 12:00 Noon to 5:00 pm at Hull & Hull Funeral Home. Interment will be at 11:00 am, Thursday, September 13, 2007 at The Small Family Cemetery, close to her sister’s home at 73624 London Road, Cottage Grove, OR 97424. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

Remembrance may be made to Lovejoy Hospice, 939 SE 8th Street, Grants Pass,OR 97526.

She came into this world on March 22, 1926 in a private birthing home in Cottage Grove, Oregon. Her parents were Julian and Zelma Small. She lived all of her school years there graduating from Cottage Grove High School in 1944. She then moved on to Eugene working as a long distance telephone operator for several years until she met and later married Richard (Dick) Kelso on April 13, 1949.

She became a faithful housewife and mother to three children and ultimately became a busy Pastor’s wife. Supporting him in his ministry as they moved to several different pastorates around the northwest.

She had occasion to teach children’s Sunday school classes as well as ladies bible classes. She was faithful in sharing her faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross of Calvary!

In September of 1995 she and her husband moved to Grants Pass, where she passed away in her home after struggling with multiple health problems that included Parkinson’s and Congestive Heart Failure. She lived to be a great-grandmother!

She leaves behind her loving husband, Richard “Dick” Kelso Phd, as well as her three children Rick Kelso of Happy Valley, Oregon; Dan Kelso of Creswell, Oregon and Faith McKee of Bend, Oregon. Also, her grandchildren Oliver Kelso of Happy Valley, Oregon; Ben Kelso of Springfield, Oregon; Josh Kelso of Creswell, Oregon and Alicia Kelso of Dallas-Monmouth, Oregon. As well as three great-grandchildren, Kesna, Cyan, and Andrew Kelso.

She has only one sibling, Ula Hall living in Cottage Grove. Plus numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Uleta was the daughter of a grandson of pioneer settlers that came by wagon train in 1852. She will be buried in the Small Family Cemetery along side her parents located near the London Community, south of Cottage Grove.

Uleta was a people person loving to visit her many friends around the northwest.

Her prayers and devotional life were always filled with concern for the welfare of her family and friends.

In her last days on earth she spoke of heaven and those who had gone on before and who she would see first. This poem sums it all up for her.

The Door To Heaven

I won’t be a stranger in heaven,
My loved ones have gone on before;
And Jesus Himself, will be waiting,
For me on that beautiful shore.

I won’t be a pilgrim in heaven,
I’ll sing with the saints round the throne.
I’ll see how each step of earth’s journey…
Was leading on safely to HOME!

I won’t be discouraged in heaven,
And time will not slacken my pace;
The God of creation will love me,
And wipe every tear from my face.

My eyes will be opened in heaven,
Rare beauty, at last to behold.
I’ll freely converse with the angels,
And walk on those streets of pure gold.

I won’t be forsaken in heaven,
rejected, or lonely, or sad;
The smiles of the ones I have cherished,
once more will be making me glad.

For all who are seeking these blessings…
God says, “WHOSOEVER”, may come!
The door will swing wide into heaven,
Through Jesus, the crucified ONE!

PSALM 116:15
“Precious in the sight of the Lord
is the death of His saints.”