Bernadette Cecelia Jarboe was born in December 1897, the eldest of the nine daughters of James Adelbert “Del” and Gertrude Lee (Bell) Jarboe. The Jarboes lived in the North Fork area of Monroe County and their neighbors were the Kelly family.

Charles “Charlie” Francis Kelly, son of Irish immigrants Hugh and Elizabeth Kelly, fought for his country in World War I. After his service, he returned home and married his childhood sweetheart, Bernadette Jarboe, in November 1919. They soon settled in Monroe City and lived in a house on Lawn Street built by Del Jarboe. Charles was a salesman for a Hannibal produce company. Bernadette worked as a sales person at the Famous store in Hannibal until she opened her own clothing store, the K-Lee Shop, on Main Street in Monroe City.

Submitted by: Joan Goodwin.

Jarboe and Kelly girls in a cornfield, dated 1916. Back row, left to right: Fanny Kirkland, Margaret Kelly, Bernadette Jarboe, Cathryn Smith, Mary Kelly and Frances Jarboe. Front row, left to right: Kathleen Jarboe (smallest child), Anna Lou Jarboe, Lil Jarboe standing in front of unidentified girl, Della Jarboe, Rosalie Jarboe.

Jarboes and Kellys, dated 1918. Front row, left to right: Gene Jarboe kneeling, Josephine Jarboe being held by Dennis Kelly. Back row, left to right: Tim Kelly, Joe Kelly, Kathleen Jarboe with Dell Jarboe behind. Lil Jarboe (partially hidden), Anna Lou Jarboe behind. Rose Ellen Kelly, Nellie Murphy, Maybelle Kelly with Mary Catherine “Toots” Kelly in front, Frances Jarboe with Theresa Jarboe in front.

Charlie Kelly in his WWI uniform.

The 1919 wedding photo of Charlie and Benadette (Jarboe) Kelly.

The Del Jarboe Family, dated 1923. Back row: Kathleen (1914), Anna Lou (1904), Rosalie (1906), Frances (born 1902), Della (1908), and Lillian (1911). Front row: Bernadette (1897), Del, Gertrude, and Josephine (1916).

ca 1930s. Fashion photo of Bernadette (Jarboe) Kelly with her daughter Betty. Bernadette owned the K-Lee Shop, which sold “smart ready wear”.

Winter 1946. Charlie and Bernadette (Jarboe) Kelly with their first grandchild, K-Lee White, standing in front of her shop in Monroe City.

Bernadette’s shop was named for K-Lee, who is seen standing in the shop’s doorway.