Distinguished Service to the Church

Carol Bacon Kelso ’73

What does it mean to serve? 1 Peter 4:10 says, “Each of you should use whatever gifts you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” Carol Bacon Kelso has a servant’s heart and uses this spiritual gift to honor and to worship God, to express gratitude for the blessings she has been given, and to bring hope, comfort, and peace into the lives she touches.       

Carol’s gift of service began to bloom at Wesleyan and helped form her approach to service in the church community today. She is a  second-generation Wesleyanne whose mother, Marijean Allsopp Eilers, was a member of the class of 1947. One of her daughters, Anna Kelso McKenzie, graduated in 2006, becoming a third-generation Wesleyanne. Carol set a wonderful example of leadership at Wesleyan among women who were, themselves, outstanding. As a leader, she was sought after and always available to listen, give counsel, and help friends navigate their way through typical college dilemmas and dramas, often accompanied by just the right amount of levity! Carol continued to lead after graduation by becoming a class liaison, a member of the class reunion committee, and an active participant in the Wesleyan College Alumnae Association, where she served for three terms on its governing Board of Managers - as alumnae weekend chair (6 years!) and as member-at-large for nominations.     

Service is woven throughout Carol’s life as she shares her time and talents with her church, Trinity Anglican Church in Thomasville, GA. Over the years, Carol has served Trinity in many roles: as a member of the vestry; lay Eucharistic Minister; community group leader; lector; choir member; member of the prayer and mission teams; and mentor. She is on staff as Connections Coordinator and often gives the children’s sermon during worship. Carol is an accomplished chef who oversees the church kitchen, preparing and serving delicious meals for special occasions and receptions. She extends countless gifts of service that have no designated description and often go unrecognized by those not involved. One of the most important traits of Carol’s service is the pure delight she demonstrates in her dedication to God, the church, her family and friends, and others. Daily, she seeks to honor God through her generosity of spirit, kindness, and incomparable sense of humor.     

Carol volunteers with The Storehouse Thrift Store in Moultrie, GA, a local and global outreach ministry sponsored by non-denominational Heritage Church. She has served weekly for eight years as a dynamic member of the Storehouse Management Team and skillfully supervises the kitchen, providing weekly meals for at least 30 Storehouse staff and people from Crossroads, the local homeless shelter. Carol ministers to the global community through international mission trips with Heritage Church.     

For her service from the heart—abundantly, with joy, reverence, and absolute belief in God’s grace and eternal love—the Wesleyan College Alumnae Association honors Carol Bacon Kelso with the Award for Distinguished Service to the Church.