October 22, 2011
“Joy Through Mourning” was the topic of a conference held Saturday for those grieving the loss of a loved one.
The Open Door Baptist Church on Chili-Scottsville Road in Churchville hosted the conference, which strives to create bereavement support in the community. Jill Kelly, wife of Bills’ hall of famer Jim Kelly, was the guest speaker. The couple’s son Hunter died in 2005 from Krabbe Leukodystrophy.
“Just the opportunity to share the hope that God gives us in the midst of our deep pain is huge for me. Obviously, Jim and I, our daughters, my mom, we know what it’s like to walk through a dark, dark valley. Just to encourage and hug because we’re all in this together. No one is exempt from grief,” said Jill.
Jill and Jim went on to found Hunter’s Hope to raise awareness and funds for research to fight Krabbe disease, a neurological disorder.
