Event Planned To Observe Virginia Clinton Kelly 100th Birthday

The Hempstead County Democratic Party will be at Rose Hill Cemetery Tuesday (6-6) at 10am to observe the 100th anniversary of the birth of Virginia Cassidy Clinton kelly, the mother of former President and Hope native Bill Clinton.  Kelly is buried in the family plot along with her first husband, the biological father of President Clinton and her parents.

President Clinton’s biological father died in a car accident in Missouri just prior to his birth.  Young Billy Blythe was adopted by his mother’s 2nd husband Roger Clinton.  The President was born in the Julia Chester Hospital in Hope which sat where the Brazzel-Oakcrest Funeral Home now is.  He lived his first 7 years in Hope and his adoptive father operated a Buick dealership in Hope where Farmers Bank & Trust is now located on Third Street downtown.

When Virginia Clinton Kelly died, her body was brought back to Hope for burial in the family plot.  Residents lined Hazel Street from I-30 to Rose Hill when President and Mrs. Clinton and such notable family friends as Barbara Streisand came to the graveside service.

The public is invited to come out Tuesday to Rose Hill to watch the ceremony.