Carl Ellan Kelley: The Untold Story of Aretha Franklin’s Half-Sister, Her Parents, Childhood, Family Relationships, Children, Death in 2019, and Lasting Legacy

Carl Ellan Kelley was an American woman best known as the older half-sister of legendary singer Aretha Franklin, famously called the Queen of Soul. Born on November 17, 1940, in Memphis, Tennessee, Carl was the daughter of Reverend C. L. Franklin and Mildred Jennings. While Aretha became an international music icon, Carl lived a much quieter life away from the entertainment industry. Her childhood was also different from that of her famous siblings, making her family history both complicated and deeply interesting. So, who was Carl Ellan Kelley, and what happened to her before her death in 2019?

Carl Ellan Kelley Quick Bio

Who Was Carl Ellan Kelley?

Carl Ellan Kelley was a member of one of America’s most famous musical families.

Her father, Reverend C. L. Franklin, became an influential Baptist minister whose powerful preaching attracted national attention.

Her younger half-sister, Aretha Franklin, became one of the greatest singers in American music history.

However, Carl’s life followed a different path.

She did not become a famous singer, songwriter, or entertainer.

Instead, she spent most of her life away from the cameras and publicity that surrounded the Franklin family.

Her story became a subject of growing public interest as people explored Aretha Franklin’s family background.

One of the most important differences between Carl and her famous half-sister was their upbringing.

Although they shared the same father, Carl was raised by her grandmother rather than growing up in the same household as Aretha.

This meant their childhood experiences were not identical.

While Aretha eventually grew up surrounded by gospel music, church performances, and famous musicians, Carl spent her early years in a quieter family environment.

Her story offers a different perspective on the Franklin family.

It shows that behind a famous family name, there can be relatives whose lives remain largely unknown to the public.

When Was Carl Ellan Kelley Born?

Carl Ellan Kelley was born on November 17, 1940, in Memphis, Tennessee.

Her birth date is recorded in her funeral-home obituary.

She was born during a period of major social and economic challenges in the United States.

The country was still recovering from the Great Depression, and racial segregation shaped everyday life across much of the American South.

For African-American families in Memphis, opportunities were often limited by discriminatory laws and practices.

Carl’s birth also took place during her father’s early years as a Baptist minister.

C. L. Franklin would later become famous in Detroit, but at the time he was serving a congregation in Memphis.

Carl was the daughter of Franklin and Mildred Jennings.

Her family circumstances were complicated from the beginning.

These circumstances help explain why her childhood was different from the lives of some of her half-siblings.

Was Her Name Carl Ellan Kelley or Carol Ellan Kelley?

One interesting detail about Carl Ellan Kelley is the variation in her name.

Many people search for Carl Ellan Kelley.

However, historical and biographical materials sometimes refer to her as Carol Ellan Kelley.

Her funeral-home obituary uses Carl Ellan Kelley in its heading and Carl Ellan Franklin Kelly in the obituary text.

These differences can create confusion.

Are Carl Ellan Kelley and Carol Ellan Kelley different people?

The available records generally identify them as the same woman.

Both names are connected to the daughter of C. L. Franklin and Mildred Jennings, born in November 1940.

For accuracy, this article uses Carl Ellan Kelley because that spelling appears in her funeral-home record.

Carl Ellan Kelley’s Early Life and Childhood

Carl’s childhood was shaped by family circumstances that were very different from those of her famous half-siblings.

She was born in Memphis in 1940.

Her father was an adult minister, while her mother was a young girl.

Historical accounts describe Mildred Jennings as approximately 12 years old when Carl was born.

This is a serious and troubling part of the family’s history.

A child cannot meaningfully consent to a sexual relationship with an adult.

The circumstances therefore involve child sexual abuse, not an ordinary relationship between consenting adults.

Carl herself had no responsibility for the circumstances of her birth.

She was a child entering the world under circumstances she could not control.

Her funeral-home obituary states that she was raised by her grandmother, Mrs. Cornelious Mayo Hill Berry.

This detail is important because it establishes that she did not simply grow up alongside Aretha in the same family household.

Her grandmother played a major role in her upbringing.

However, detailed public information about Carl’s childhood education, friendships, and everyday experiences remains limited.

Who Was Carl Ellan Kelley’s Father?

Carl’s father was C. L. Franklin.

His full name was Clarence LaVaughn Franklin.

He was born on January 22, 1915, in Mississippi.

He became one of the most influential African-American Baptist ministers of the twentieth century.

His preaching style was powerful, emotional, and memorable.

People traveled to hear him deliver sermons.

His recorded preaching also reached audiences beyond his local church.

Because of his popularity and commanding voice, he became known as the preacher with the “Million-Dollar Voice.”

C. L. Franklin’s Religious Career

C. L. Franklin began preaching when he was young.

Over time, he developed a reputation as an exceptionally talented speaker.

He served churches in different communities before moving to Detroit.

In 1946, he became pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church.

This position brought him increasing recognition.

His sermons were recorded and distributed, helping his influence extend across the United States.

Many listeners admired his dramatic delivery and religious messages.

He was also connected to important figures in gospel music.

His home became a gathering place for singers, ministers, and other prominent people.

This environment strongly influenced his daughter Aretha.

However, Carl did not grow up in exactly the same household circumstances.

That distinction is essential when understanding her family story.

C. L. Franklin and the Civil Rights Movement

Reverend Franklin also became involved in the struggle for civil rights.

He supported efforts to challenge racial inequality and improve opportunities for African Americans.

In Detroit, he helped organize the 1963 Walk to Freedom.

The event included a major appearance by Martin Luther King Jr..

Franklin’s involvement showed that his influence extended beyond religion.

He became a significant voice in both the church and the wider community.

For Carl, this meant her father was not simply a local minister.

He was a nationally recognized public figure whose influence shaped music, religion, and civil rights history.

Who Was Carl Ellan Kelley’s Mother?

Carl Ellan Kelley’s mother was Mildred Jennings.

She was connected to the Memphis congregation where Reverend C. L. Franklin served.

Historical accounts describe Mildred as only about 12 years old when Carl was born.

This makes her circumstances especially important to understand.

Mildred was a child, while Franklin was an adult religious authority.

The situation involved a major imbalance of age and power.

It should not be romanticized or presented as an ordinary love affair.

Unfortunately, relatively little reliable information about Mildred’s later life has survived in widely accessible records.

Her profession, personal relationships, and exact death date are not firmly established.

This lack of information reflects how easily the stories of vulnerable people can disappear from historical accounts.

Mildred’s experience remains an important part of the Franklin family’s history.

Who Raised Carl Ellan Kelley?

Carl Ellan Kelley was raised by her grandmother, Cornelious Mayo Hill Berry.

This detail is confirmed in her obituary.

Her grandmother’s involvement provided a family home outside the household in which Aretha and several of her siblings grew up.

Being raised by a grandparent was not uncommon in many families.

Grandparents often helped care for children because of financial pressures, family circumstances, or other difficulties.

However, the specific private arrangements surrounding Carl’s upbringing were not fully documented.

What is clear is that her grandmother played a central role.

This childhood separation helps explain why Carl’s life developed differently from her father’s more famous children.

Her identity was connected to the Franklin family, but her everyday upbringing took place elsewhere.

Was Carl Ellan Kelley Aretha Franklin’s Sister?

Yes. Carl Ellan Kelley was the older paternal half-sister of Aretha Franklin.

Both women shared the same father, Reverend C. L. Franklin.

However, they had different mothers.

Carl’s mother was Mildred Jennings.

Aretha’s mother was Barbara Siggers Franklin.

Carl was born on November 17, 1940.

Aretha was born on March 25, 1942.

This made Carl approximately sixteen months older than Aretha.

Although they belonged to the same extended family, their childhood experiences were different.

Carl was raised by her grandmother.

Aretha spent part of her childhood in the Franklin household, where she was exposed to gospel music and religious performances.

These different environments influenced their public life stories.

Did Carl Ellan Kelley and Aretha Franklin Grow Up Together?

Carl and Aretha were not raised in the same household during their early childhood.

Carl’s obituary identifies her grandmother as the person who raised her.

Aretha, meanwhile, lived with members of the Franklin family as her father’s religious career developed.

The Franklin family eventually moved to Detroit.

Aretha began singing in church and developed her extraordinary musical abilities.

Carl’s childhood took a different direction.

There is limited reliable information about how frequently the sisters saw each other during their younger years.

Some biographical accounts suggest that Carl later developed connections with her father’s family.

However, the precise details are not extensively documented through firsthand interviews.

It would therefore be inaccurate to invent childhood meetings or family conversations.

The most important established fact is that the sisters shared a father but experienced different upbringings.

Was Carl Ellan Kelley Close to Aretha Franklin?

The private relationship between Carl and Aretha has not been extensively documented.

They were half-sisters, and their family connection was genuine.

However, the public record does not provide a detailed account of their personal bond.

Some sources suggest Carl later became more connected to the Franklin family.

Other accounts emphasize that she spent much of her life outside the household associated with Aretha’s childhood.

Neither point establishes exactly how close the sisters were.

They may have shared family experiences that were never made public.

It is also possible that their different childhoods affected how often they saw each other.

Without reliable firsthand accounts, the precise nature of their relationship remains uncertain.

Still, Carl’s place within the Franklin family is documented through both her parentage and obituary.

Who Was Aretha Franklin, Carl Ellan Kelley’s Famous Half-Sister?

Aretha Franklin was one of the most influential singers in American music history.

She was born in Memphis in 1942 and grew up surrounded by religious music.

Her father was already becoming a respected minister, and gospel singers frequently visited the family home.

Aretha began singing at a young age.

Her powerful voice quickly attracted attention.

By the 1960s, she was developing a successful recording career.

Her breakthrough came through songs that combined gospel influences with rhythm and blues.

Aretha Franklin’s Most Famous Songs

Some of Aretha’s best-known recordings include:

• Respect (1967)

• Chain of Fools (1967)

• (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman (1967)

• Think (1968)

• I Say a Little Prayer (1968)

• Spanish Harlem (1971)

• Until You Come Back to Me (1973)

• Freeway of Love (1985)

These songs helped establish Aretha as the Queen of Soul.

She became famous for her extraordinary voice, emotional performances, and ability to connect with audiences.

Her recording career lasted for decades.

She won 18 Grammy Awards and became the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.

For Carl Ellan Kelley, Aretha’s achievements meant that their shared family name became recognized around the world.

However, Carl did not pursue a comparable public music career.

Her own life remained largely outside entertainment coverage.

Carl Ellan Kelley’s Other Half-Siblings

The Franklin family included several children who followed different professional paths.

Carl shared her father with Aretha, Erma, Carolyn, and Cecil Franklin.

Her obituary also identifies other siblings and relatives connected to the wider family.

Erma Franklin

Erma Franklin was born on March 13, 1938.

She was an accomplished singer in her own right.

Although she was often introduced as Aretha’s older sister, Erma built an independent musical career.

One of her best-known recordings was the original version of Piece of My Heart.

The song later became internationally famous through Janis Joplin’s performance.

Erma died in 2002.

Carolyn Franklin

Carolyn Franklin was born on May 13, 1944.

She became a singer and songwriter.

Carolyn contributed to several recordings associated with her sister Aretha.

Her work demonstrated that musical talent extended across multiple members of the Franklin family.

She died in 1988.

Reverend Cecil Franklin

Cecil Franklin was born in 1940.

He followed a path more closely connected to his father’s religious background.

He became a minister and was also involved in managing aspects of Aretha’s career.

Cecil died in 1989.

Other Family Members

Carl’s obituary also identifies Clark E. Turner and Charles E. Jennings among her deceased siblings.

The wider Franklin family included children from different relationships.

Because of this, describing every relationship using only the word “brother” or “sister” can sometimes create confusion.

Some family members were biological half-siblings, while others were connected through different family arrangements.

What is certain is that Carl belonged to an extended family with important connections to music, religion, and American cultural history.

Did Carl Ellan Kelley Become a Singer?

No established public recording career is associated with Carl Ellan Kelley.

This is an important distinction.

Her half-sisters Aretha, Erma, and Carolyn worked professionally in music.

Their performances and recordings became part of American soul and gospel history.

Carl did not develop the same kind of widely documented entertainment career.

There is no established catalog of major albums, charting songs, or concert performances credited to her.

Some websites describe her as a member of a musical family, which is accurate.

However, belonging to a family of famous singers does not automatically mean someone was a professional musician.

Carl appears to have pursued a much quieter adult life.

Her story is therefore more closely connected to family history than the music industry itself.

What Did Carl Ellan Kelley Do for a Living?

Carl Ellan Kelley has been described in several biographical accounts as a nurse.

Nursing is an important profession centered on caring for people, supporting medical treatment, and helping patients manage health needs.

Unlike entertainment careers, nursing work rarely attracts public attention.

This would help explain why detailed information about Carl’s professional activities is limited.

However, her funeral-home obituary does not provide a complete employment history.

It also does not establish specific nursing qualifications, hospitals, or years of service.

For that reason, nursing is best described as her reported occupation rather than an independently documented full career history.

What can be confirmed is that she lived largely outside the professional entertainment world associated with her famous half-sister.

Carl Ellan Kelley’s Marriage and Husband

Many readers want to know whether Carl Ellan Kelley was married.

However, her complete marital history has not been reliably established through widely available public reporting.

Her obituary uses the names Carl Ellan Kelley and Carl Ellan Franklin Kelly.

The family names associated with her children also differ.

However, children’s surnames alone do not establish a complete marriage history.

Some biographies attempt to identify a husband or describe her romantic relationships.

Without reliable documentation, those claims should not be presented as certain.

Carl was a private individual, and her personal relationships did not receive the same attention as those of famous entertainers.

Her family connections are better documented through her children and later descendants.

Did Carl Ellan Kelley Have Children?

Yes. Carl Ellan Kelley was the mother of three children named in her obituary.

They were Vivian Smith, Herman E. Wheatley III, and Charles G. Smith.

Her daughter Vivian died before Carl.

Her two sons survived her.

These family details are especially important because they provide a clearer picture of Carl’s adult life beyond her connection to Aretha Franklin.

Vivian Smith

Vivian Smith was Carl’s daughter.

She is listed among the family members who died before Carl.

However, reliable public information about Vivian’s birth date, occupation, and personal life is limited.

Her name remains an important part of the family’s documented history.

Herman E. Wheatley III

Herman E. Wheatley III was one of Carl’s sons.

He was named among her surviving children when she died in 2019.

However, his profession and private life have not been widely discussed in major entertainment coverage.

Charles G. Smith

Charles G. Smith was another of Carl’s sons.

Like Herman, he was listed among the family members who survived her.

There is limited verified public information about his personal or professional activities.

The fact that Carl’s obituary named her children and grandchildren shows that her story extended well beyond her famous family connection.

She also had a family of her own.

How Many Grandchildren Did Carl Ellan Kelley Have?

Carl Ellan Kelley’s obituary named seven grandchildren.

Their names were Alyssa, Rayden, Amaria, Herman IV, Justin, Tevin, and Detric.

It also named a great-grandchild, Ariya.

These details give readers an important understanding of her later life.

Although Carl remained outside entertainment publicity, she had children, grandchildren, and a great-grandchild.

Her family continued into younger generations.

Unlike music awards or Hollywood achievements, these connections belong to the more personal side of her legacy.

The public record does not provide complete biographies of her descendants.

Their personal details should therefore be treated with appropriate privacy.

Did Carl Ellan Kelley Reconnect With Her Father?

Some biographical accounts suggest that Carl later developed more contact with Reverend C. L. Franklin and members of his family.

However, the available public record does not provide a complete account of their relationship.

Historical discussions of the Franklin family indicate that Carl’s position within the family was complicated.

Her early upbringing was separate from her father’s main household.

Her father later became a nationally influential minister.

This created a contrast between his public reputation and his complicated personal history.

It is possible to discuss these facts without assuming that Carl’s relationship with him was either entirely positive or entirely negative.

The private emotional experiences involved are not fully known.

What matters is acknowledging that Carl had her own identity regardless of how frequently she appeared in her father’s public life.

The Franklin Family and Its Complicated History

The Franklin family is often remembered through incredible music and cultural achievement.

Aretha’s recordings became part of American history.

C. L. Franklin’s preaching influenced generations of church listeners.

Other family members contributed to gospel music, songwriting, and ministry.

However, the family’s history also included difficult personal circumstances.

Carl’s birth is an example.

Her mother, Mildred Jennings, was a child when Carl was born.

Her father was an adult minister.

Understanding this history requires recognizing the harm and unequal power involved.

It should not be turned into celebrity gossip.

Carl’s life began within circumstances that were not of her choosing.

She nevertheless became an adult, raised children, and developed her own family history.

That part of her story deserves recognition alongside the accomplishments of her famous relatives.

When Did Carl Ellan Kelley Die?

Carl Ellan Kelley died on January 30, 2019.

She was 78 years old.

Her death came less than six months after Aretha Franklin died on August 16, 2018.

The two sisters were born approximately sixteen months apart, and both died within the same six-month period.

Their lives, however, had been very different.

Aretha’s death attracted worldwide media coverage.

Tributes came from musicians, politicians, entertainers, and millions of fans.

Carl’s passing received much less public attention.

Her death was recorded through family and funeral announcements rather than major international news coverage.

This difference reflects the separate paths the sisters had followed.

One became a worldwide music icon.

The other lived largely as a private citizen.

What Was Carl Ellan Kelley’s Cause of Death?

Carl Ellan Kelley’s exact cause of death has not been confirmed in her funeral-home obituary.

Some online biographies state that she died from a heart attack.

However, the official funeral announcement does not establish that medical detail.

It is therefore more accurate to state that she died on January 30, 2019, at the age of 78.

Her specific cause of death remains unconfirmed through the most direct public family record.

A person’s death can attract speculation, especially when they are related to a famous celebrity.

However, unverified medical information should not be repeated as fact.

Carl Ellan Kelley’s Funeral and Burial

Carl’s funeral arrangements were recorded by Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery in Memphis, Tennessee.

Her visitation was scheduled for February 5, 2019.

Her funeral service took place on February 6, 2019.

The obituary stated that she would later be laid to rest at Evergreen Washelli Cemetery in Seattle, Washington.

The announcement also named her surviving relatives, including her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild.

These records provide some of the clearest available details about her adult family life.

They also confirm that Carl maintained connections beyond the famous Franklin family.

Her life was remembered through the people who knew her personally.

Carl Ellan Kelley and Aretha Franklin’s Death

Aretha Franklin died on August 16, 2018, at the age of 76.

Her passing became a major international event.

Fans around the world remembered her songs and the enormous influence she had on American music.

Carl was still alive when Aretha died.

However, there is limited public information about Carl’s personal response to her half-sister’s passing.

Her own death followed in January 2019.

This close timing is one of the details that frequently appears in discussions of their family history.

It also marked the passing of two women whose names were connected through their father but whose public lives were very different.

Was Carl Ellan Kelley Included in Aretha Franklin’s Estate?

Aretha Franklin’s estate became the subject of significant legal attention after her death.

Questions arose about handwritten wills, family inheritance, and the distribution of assets.

Some secondary reports suggest that Carl Ellan Kelley was mentioned in estate-related documents.

However, the exact terms of any inheritance involving Carl should not be treated as established without the relevant legal records.

This is particularly important because online articles sometimes repeat specific financial figures without explaining their documentary basis.

The established facts are that Carl was Aretha’s paternal half-sister and that both women died within a relatively short period.

Claims about inheritance amounts require separate verification.

What Was Carl Ellan Kelley’s Net Worth?

Carl Ellan Kelley’s personal net worth was never publicly verified.

Unlike Aretha Franklin, she did not have a widely documented career in recording, concerts, or commercial entertainment.

Her reported occupation was nursing.

However, there are no reliable public financial records identifying her salary, investments, property assets, or total wealth.

Some celebrity biography websites assign exact net worth estimates to members of famous families.

These figures can be misleading.

Being related to a wealthy entertainer does not automatically establish someone’s personal financial situation.

For that reason, Carl’s individual net worth remains unknown.

Why Did Carl Ellan Kelley Live Outside the Spotlight?

One of the most interesting aspects of Carl’s biography is the contrast between her life and Aretha’s.

Aretha became a worldwide celebrity.

Her music reached millions of listeners, and her performances appeared on television and major stages.

Carl’s life was much quieter.

She was raised outside the main Franklin household and did not establish a comparable entertainment career.

However, it would be inaccurate to claim that she deliberately rejected fame.

There is no widely documented interview in which she explains such a decision.

Her private life may have resulted from her upbringing, personal circumstances, career interests, or several different factors.

The public record does not provide enough information to determine her exact motivations.

What is clear is that she had her own family and lived largely outside regular celebrity reporting.

Interesting Facts About Carl Ellan Kelley

1. She was older than Aretha Franklin.

Carl was born in November 1940, while Aretha was born in March 1942.

2. Her father was a famous Baptist minister.

Reverend C. L. Franklin became nationally recognized for his preaching and civil rights involvement.

3. Her mother was Mildred Jennings.

Historical accounts describe Mildred as a young girl when Carl was born.

4. She was raised by her grandmother.

Cornelious Mayo Hill Berry is identified as the person who raised her.

5. Her name appears in different spellings.

Public records use Carl Ellan Kelley, Carl Ellan Franklin Kelly, and Carol Ellan Kelley.

6. She belonged to a musical family.

Her half-sisters Aretha, Erma, and Carolyn were involved in professional music.

7. She was reportedly a nurse.

Several biographies identify nursing as her occupation, although complete professional records are limited.

8. She had three children.

Her obituary named Vivian Smith, Herman E. Wheatley III, and Charles G. Smith.

9. She had seven grandchildren.

Her funeral record also identified a great-grandchild.

10. She died in 2019.

Carl passed away on January 30, 2019, at the age of 78.

Why Is Carl Ellan Kelley Still Remembered in 2026?

Carl Ellan Kelley continues to attract interest because of her connection to Aretha Franklin.

Fans who study the Queen of Soul often become curious about her parents, siblings, and extended family.

While Aretha’s professional achievements are well documented, Carl’s personal history is less familiar.

Her unusual upbringing also raises important questions about family recognition and historical memory.

Not every member of a famous family experiences the same opportunities or public attention.

Carl’s life demonstrates this clearly.

She shared a father with one of the greatest singers in American history, yet her own story developed mostly outside the world of music.

Her biography also brings attention to her mother, Mildred Jennings, whose experiences have received comparatively little historical coverage.

Remembering Carl therefore means looking beyond fame and recognizing a broader family history.

Carl Ellan Kelley’s Lasting Family Legacy

Carl’s legacy includes more than her famous half-sister.

She was a daughter, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Her obituary provides evidence of a family that continued into several generations.

These relationships form an important part of her personal history.

Her life also reminds readers that belonging to a celebrated family does not always lead to public recognition.

Some family members become internationally famous.

Others build their lives outside the spotlight.

Both remain part of the family’s history.

Carl Ellan Kelley’s story deserves to be understood through the facts of her own life, not simply through her relationship to Aretha Franklin.

Final Thoughts

Carl Ellan Kelley was an important but lesser-known member of the Franklin family.

Born on November 17, 1940, in Memphis, she was the daughter of Reverend C. L. Franklin and Mildred Jennings.

Her childhood differed from that of her famous half-sister Aretha Franklin because she was raised by her grandmother.

While Aretha became the Queen of Soul, Carl lived a much more private life.

She became a mother of three and had seven grandchildren and a great-grandchild named in her obituary.

Carl died on January 30, 2019, at the age of 78.

Although much of her personal and professional history remains outside public records, her family connections and documented life events provide a meaningful picture of her story.

She remains part of a celebrated American family whose history includes extraordinary achievements as well as difficult personal circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who was Carl Ellan Kelley?

Carl Ellan Kelley was the older paternal half-sister of legendary American singer Aretha Franklin. She was the daughter of Reverend C. L. Franklin and Mildred Jennings.

2. When was Carl Ellan Kelley born?

She was born on November 17, 1940, in Memphis, Tennessee.

3. How old was Carl Ellan Kelley when she died?

She was 78 years old when she died on January 30, 2019.

4. Who was Carl Ellan Kelley’s mother?

Her mother was Mildred Jennings, who was approximately 12 years old when Carl was born, according to historical biographical accounts.

5. Who was Carl Ellan Kelley’s father?

Her father was Reverend C. L. Franklin, a prominent Baptist minister and the father of Aretha Franklin.

6. Was Carl Ellan Kelley Aretha Franklin’s real sister?

Yes. They were biological paternal half-sisters because they shared the same father but had different mothers.

7. Who raised Carl Ellan Kelley?

Her grandmother, Cornelious Mayo Hill Berry, raised her.

8. Did Carl Ellan Kelley have children?

Yes. She had three children: Vivian Smith, Herman E. Wheatley III, and Charles G. Smith.

9. How many grandchildren did Carl Ellan Kelley have?

Her obituary identified seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

10. Was Carl Ellan Kelley a singer?

There is no established public recording career associated with her. Unlike her famous half-sisters, she did not become a widely recognized musician.

11. What was Carl Ellan Kelley’s profession?

She has been described as a nurse in secondary biographical accounts, but her complete employment history has not been independently documented.

12. What caused Carl Ellan Kelley’s death?

Her exact cause of death has not been confirmed in her funeral-home obituary.

13. Where was Carl Ellan Kelley buried?

Her obituary stated that she would be laid to rest at Evergreen Washelli Cemetery in Seattle, Washington.

14. Was Carl Ellan Kelley older than Aretha Franklin?

Yes. Carl was born in November 1940, approximately sixteen months before Aretha’s birth in March 1942.

15. What is the difference between Carl Ellan Kelley and Carol Ellan Kelley?

These are alternative spellings used in published records for the same woman. Her funeral-home obituary uses Carl Ellan Kelley and Carl Ellan Franklin Kelly.

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