Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

June 30, 2026

Kelly Ayers Hamel
(August 11, 1966 - June 30, 2026)

Kelly was born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina. Kelly graduated from South Mecklenburg High School in 1984 and followed in her parents' footsteps to Appalachian State University. Kelly never met a stranger and never missed an opportunity to engage with others. She was always on the go and always in search of the next fun thing to do. She loved sports, the mountains and the beach and generally being anywhere where people gathered to have fun.

Kelly shined as a wife, a mom and a friend. She met her husband, Billy, at a Halloween party in 1990. They married May 7, 1993, and they welcomed Brady (1997) and Hope (1999) into their family with pride and wonder. Kelly created a home and life for her family built on love, laughter and adventure where chaos often reigned over order and pomp and circumstance often took a back seat to improvisation. For Kelly's family, there was no question, they knew where love lived, and it was with her.

Outside of her family, Kelly worked as a teacher and most recently as a patient advocate at Novant Health Matthews Medical Center. Kelly retired in 2023. Kelly enjoyed running, walking, swimming, aerobics, yoga, golf and tennis and literally anything that kept her moving. If it involved getting to talk to other people that was a bonus. Faith was an important part of Kelly's life. She was never shy to share how God shaped her life and how 'God Winks' often saved her from disaster or reminded her who was in charge.

Kelly was diagnosed with brain cancer in December of 2024. She continued living life the Kelly way - loving others and bringing immense happiness and joy to those around her while fighting hard and heroically until the end.

Kelly is survived by her parents, Wayne and Linda Ayers, her brother, Greg Ayers (Koren), her husband, Billy Hamel, her children Brady Hamel (Kaki) and Hope Hamel (Max), her sweet ever present dog companion Millie and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, July 7, 2026 at Waypoint Community Church/Belk Chapel, 2234 Radcliffe Ave, Charlotte, NC 28207. A reception will follow the memorial service in Queens Hall.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.