Mary Lou Kelso was born on July 7, 1937, in Baltimore Maryland. She passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on June 3, 2026 just short of her 89th birthday. She fought a valiant fight to the end. Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents Thomas and Alvina Johns of Baltimore, her husband of 66 years Charles “Buck” Kelso, sister, Joan Runk, brother in laws, Carl Runk and Will Kelso, as well as her beloved son Gary T. Kelso.

Mary Lou is survived by her children, Charles (Elaine), Craig (Kim), Dawn Riddle (Jeff), daughter in law Sheri Kelso, her grandchildren, Jason, Brandy (Wayne), Mike (Klareese), Amanda (Jake), Stephanie (Daniel), Matt, and Justin, and 7 great grandchildren, as well as her brother Buddy (June), and numerous nieces and nephews and their families.

Mary Lou raced soap box derby cars built by her father and brother in Baltimore as a child, she graduated from Patterson High School in Baltimore, MD where she was the class vice president and organized many class reunions over the years. After high school she worked at Western Electric Co, and along with her sister Joan became part of the first NFL professional cheerleading squad for the Baltimore Colts. In 1958, she married Buck and moved to Geargia where he was stationed in the U.S. Army, then back to Maryland, living in Bel Air for 60 years. Mary Lou League bowled for many years at the Bel Air Bowl. She was amore than devoted mother to her children. She ran the food concession for Bel Air Recreation Football, became a Cub Scout den mother, coached little league baseball and logged many miles attending her kids’ sports games and practices. She worked part-time in the school cafeteria, then for many years for Ulman Sporting Goods in Bel Air. In retirement she and Buck loved traveling with Bucks sister and husband Bet and Ron, they had many adventures around the country including a cruise to Alaska. But her main passion was her family. She hosted many, many birthday parties, family reunions, bridal and baby showers, for not only her kids and grandkids but nieces, nephews and in laws as well. She loved all of “her” babies.

Mary Lou was a very special person who loved fiercely and with all the heart and did not know the meaning of the word quit. She is greatly missed already.