Kelly Hagood passed away April 13, 2008, at her home in Ontario, Ore., of natural causes.
Kelly was born Elsie Lee Black in a one-room cabin in Wilsall, Mont., on Sept. 29, 1932. Her parents were Louis Donnor (Red) and Ester Faye (Williamson) Black.
Kelly was a direct descendent of the famed Donner Party and had a great deal of fun sharing information with others. At an early age, Kelly married Robert (Bob) Hampson. Out of this marriage, three children were born: Vicki Lee, Robert Michael and Peggy Jean.
While her children were growing up, Kelly became quite the traveler. She lived in Alaska, California, Utah, Idaho, Montana, Arizona, South Dakota and Oregon.
Kelly married Ben Olsen and moved from Fairbanks, Alaska to Sumpter, Ore., in 1970 and opened “The Black Market” antiques. They, and other townfolk, started the “Thieves Market” in 1972. Ben and Kelly traveled the country from the east coast to Mexico procuring goods for their store and the flea market. Ben passed away in 1994. Kelly stayed in Sumpter and continued the business until 2000 when she married Neil Hagood and they moved to Ontario.
Kelly and Ben , along with several local town folk of Sumpter, Ore., started one of the largest flea markets in the Northwest, putting Sumpter on the map. People came from all over the U.S. and Canada for these flea markets.
Kelly will be remembered mostly for her sense of humor. She could bring down the house with her jokes and quick wit. Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren meant the world to her. She always knew what was happening and their whereabouts. Her memory was sharp as a tack. If any member of the family needed to know a birthday of any family member, we just called her.
Preceded in death was her beautiful daughter Vicki Lee in April of 2005. Also preceded in death were her husbands, Ben Olsen in November 1994, and Neil Hagood in June 2007.
Kelly is survived by her daughter Peggy and her husband Larry Williams of Hinckley, N. Y.; grandchildren Clay, Shonna and Dan Williams with wife Pamelyn Williams of Phoenix, Ariz.; her son Robert (Mike) and wife Vicki Hampson of Helena, Mont.; grandchildren Skiler, Alexis with son (Kelly’s great-grandson) Cooper and Aaron Hampson of Helena, Mont.; grandson Robert (Bobby) Hampson of Missoula, Mont.; grandson Curtis and wife Jennifer Janish of Layton, Utah; great-grandchildren Jerad, Jacob, Justin and Sarah Janish ; and grandson Curtis and his father Dick Janish. Her only living sibling out of 11 children, sister Frances Overfelt, survives her in Bozeman, Mont. Also surviving are her friends, other relatives and fellow flea marketers too numerous to mention.
Services for Kelly were held April 21 at the Old Sumpter School House in Sumpter, Ore. at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Lung Cancer Association or the charity of their choice in Kelly’s name.
There will be an estate sale at Kelly’s home in Treasure Valley Mobile Home Village at 22 Freedom Lane, Ontario, Ore., from Monday, April 28, to Sunday, May 4. Viewing of household goods, furniture, antiques and collectibles may be arranged by appointment at 541.889.6847.
Used with permission from: The Record Courier, Baker City, Oregon, May 1, 2008
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor