Carl Ellan Kelley is best known as the paternal half-sister of legendary American singer Aretha Franklin, widely celebrated as the Queen of Soul. Although she belonged to one of America’s best-known musical families, Kelley lived largely outside the entertainment spotlight.
She was the daughter of Reverend C. L. Franklin and Mildred Jennings. Her family connection became a subject of public interest because of Aretha’s remarkable musical career and the history of the Franklin family.
Unlike Aretha and some of her other siblings, Carl Ellan Kelley did not have a widely documented career in music. Much of what is known about her comes from family records, historical biographies, and her published funeral obituary.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Carl Ellan Kelley |
| Date of Birth | November 17, 1940 |
| Birthplace | Memphis, Tennessee, USA |
| Age at Death | 78 years |
| Date of Death | January 30, 2019 |
| Nationality | American |
| Father | C. L. Franklin |
| Mother | Mildred Jennings |
| Half-Sister | Aretha Franklin |
| Other Siblings | Erma, Cecil, and Carolyn Franklin |
| Profession | Not reliably documented |
| Children | Herman E. Wheatley III, Charles G. Smith, Vivian Smith |
| Grandchildren | Seven, according to her obituary |
| Marital Status | Not publicly confirmed |
| Known For | Being Aretha Franklin’s half-sister |
| Net Worth | Not publicly available |
Early Life and Family Background
Carl Ellan Kelley was born on November 17, 1940, in Memphis, Tennessee. Her parents were Reverend C. L. Franklin, a prominent Baptist minister, and Mildred Jennings.
According to the historical account of C. L. Franklin’s life, Kelley was raised by her maternal grandmother, Mrs. Cornelious Mayo Hill Berry.
Her childhood was different from that of Aretha Franklin, who grew up in the Franklin household and later became an internationally recognized singer.
Carl’s early life was largely private, and detailed information about her childhood experiences is not widely available.
Who Were Carl Ellan Kelley’s Parents?
Father: Reverend C. L. Franklin
C. L. Franklin was an influential Baptist preacher known for his powerful sermons and involvement in the African American religious community.
He served as pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit and became a respected voice in the civil rights era.
He was also the father of Aretha Franklin, whose musical success made the Franklin family internationally recognizable.
His relationship with Mildred Jennings resulted in the birth of Carl Ellan Kelley in 1940.
Mother: Mildred Jennings
Mildred Jennings was Carl’s mother. She lived outside the entertainment industry and did not maintain a prominent public profile.
Historical accounts identify her as the mother of C. L. Franklin’s daughter born in Memphis in November 1940.
There is limited reliable public information about her later life.
Carl Ellan Kelley’s Relationship With Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin was Carl Ellan Kelley’s paternal half-sister. They shared the same father but had different mothers.
Aretha was born on March 25, 1942, and became one of the most influential singers in American music.
Her career included internationally recognized songs such as:
- Respect
- Natural Woman
- Chain of Fools
- Think
- I Say a Little Prayer
Aretha’s musical achievements brought worldwide attention to the Franklin family.
Carl, however, maintained a much more private life. Public information about their personal relationship is limited, so claims about how frequently they communicated or how close they were should not be treated as established facts.
Carl Ellan Kelley’s Siblings
Carl belonged to a family that included several children of Reverend C. L. Franklin.
Her paternal half-siblings included:
- Aretha Franklin: Internationally celebrated soul singer.
- Erma Franklin: Singer known for recording the original version of Piece of My Heart.
- Carolyn Franklin: Singer and songwriter who contributed to Aretha’s musical work.
- Cecil Franklin: A minister who also worked as Aretha’s manager.
- Vaughn Franklin: Her father’s adopted son.
The Franklin siblings followed different paths. Several became involved in music or ministry, while Carl remained outside the public entertainment world.
Career and Professional Life
There is limited reliable documentation about Carl Ellan Kelley’s professional career.
Unlike Aretha, Erma, and Carolyn Franklin, she is not associated with a widely documented recording career or public entertainment work.
Some online biographies describe her as a nurse, but dependable employment records or detailed professional accounts are difficult to establish. Therefore, her occupation cannot be stated with confidence.
Her public identity is primarily connected to her family history rather than documented professional achievements.
Carl Ellan Kelley’s Marriage and Personal Life
Carl Ellan Kelley kept her personal relationships away from public attention.
There is insufficient reliable information to establish her husband’s identity, marriage date, or detailed relationship history.
Her funeral obituary provides more dependable information about her children and extended family than many online celebrity biographies.
Respecting those limits is important because she was not a public entertainer who regularly discussed her private life.
Carl Ellan Kelley’s Children and Family
Carl Ellan Kelley’s funeral obituary identifies two surviving children:
- Herman E. Wheatley III
- Charles G. Smith
It also identifies a daughter, Vivian Smith, who died before her.
The obituary lists several grandchildren and a great-grandchild, reflecting the family she built beyond her connection to the Franklin household.
These family details are among the clearest publicly documented aspects of her personal life.
Death and Funeral
Carl Ellan Kelley died on January 30, 2019.
Her funeral obituary records her birth date as November 17, 1940, and identifies her parents and surviving family members.
She died approximately five months after her famous half-sister Aretha Franklin, who passed away on August 16, 2018.
Her funeral services were held in Memphis, Tennessee, in February 2019. The published funeral information also identifies Evergreen Washelli Cemetery in Seattle, Washington, as her intended burial place.
Her death marked the end of a life that had remained largely outside public attention despite her connection to an influential American family.
Carl Ellan Kelley Net Worth
There is no reliable public estimate of Carl Ellan Kelley’s personal net worth.
Her professional earnings, financial assets, and personal financial arrangements have not been sufficiently documented.
Aretha Franklin’s wealth and estate should not be confused with Carl’s individual financial circumstances.
For this reason, assigning her a specific net-worth figure would be misleading.
Interesting Facts About Carl Ellan Kelley
- She was born on November 17, 1940, in Memphis, Tennessee.
- Her father was Reverend C. L. Franklin.
- Her mother was Mildred Jennings.
- She was Aretha Franklin’s paternal half-sister.
- Her maternal grandmother helped raise her.
- Her funeral obituary identifies two surviving children and one daughter who predeceased her.
- She died on January 30, 2019.
- Unlike several of her siblings, she did not have a widely documented music career.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who was Carl Ellan Kelley?
Carl Ellan Kelley was the paternal half-sister of Aretha Franklin. She was the daughter of Reverend C. L. Franklin and Mildred Jennings and lived largely outside the public spotlight.
2. Was Carl Ellan Kelley Aretha Franklin’s biological sister?
Yes. They shared the same biological father, C. L. Franklin, but had different mothers. They were paternal half-sisters.
3. When was Carl Ellan Kelley born?
Her funeral obituary lists November 17, 1940, as her birth date and Memphis, Tennessee, as her birthplace.
4. Who were Carl Ellan Kelley’s parents?
Her parents were Reverend C. L. Franklin and Mildred Jennings.
5. Did Carl Ellan Kelley have children?
Yes. Her obituary names Herman E. Wheatley III and Charles G. Smith as surviving children. It also identifies Vivian Smith as a daughter who died before her.
6. When did Carl Ellan Kelley die?
She died on January 30, 2019. Her published obituary records the date and her family information.
7. What was Carl Ellan Kelley’s profession?
Her professional history is not well documented. Some online sources describe her as a nurse, but this occupation cannot be independently established from the available reliable records.
8. What was Carl Ellan Kelley’s net worth?
Her personal net worth has not been reliably reported. There is no verified figure available.
Conclusion
Carl Ellan Kelley’s story provides another perspective on the Franklin family beyond the fame of Aretha Franklin. As the daughter of C. L. Franklin and Mildred Jennings, she shared an important family connection with one of music history’s most celebrated singers.
Although much of her personal and professional life remains private, available family records preserve important details about her background, children, and final years. Her biography is a reminder that not everyone connected to a famous family chooses a life in the public eye.
Research and fact-checking note: The main biographical details above are grounded in Carl Ellan Kelley’s published funeral obituary, historical scholarship on C. L. Franklin, and established reporting on the Franklin family. The obituary records her death date, birth details, parents, and children.
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