Emma Kelly
Emma Kelly (at the piano) and Nancy Hillis in 1994
Background information
Born	(1918-12-17)December 17, 1918 Statesboro, Georgia
Died	January 17, 2001(2001-01-17) (aged 82) Savannah, Georgia
Occupation(s)	Musician
Instrument(s)	Piano
Years active	1940s–1980s

Emma Thompson Kelly (December 17, 1918 – January 17, 2001) was an American musician. Known as the "Lady of 6,000 Songs",^[1] she appeared in both John Berendt's 1994 book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil and its 1997 movie adaptation.

Her nickname was given to her by Johnny Mercer, who — after challenging her to play numerous songs he named — estimated she knew 6,000 songs from memory.^[2]

Personal life

Kelly was married to George Kelly for 47 years — from 1936 until his death from a heart attack in 1983 at the age of 70.^[2] Together they had ten children.^[1]

Death

Kelly died on January 17, 2001, from a liver ailment. She was 82.^[1]

Accolades

Kelly was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 1998.^[3] She performed at the event.^[4]