Kelly Mitchell, Queen of the Gypsy Nation

Kelly Mitchell, Queen of the Gypsy Nation (c. 1868 – 1915) was an American woman who was celebrated as a leader of the Romani people in the US state of Mississippi. Her grave continues to be visited by thousands of people each year,

Biography Kelly Mitchell was born around 1868. She is said to be the descendant of a group of Romani people who, expelled from Europe, had migrated to South America and from there made their way into the United States. The Interment records for Rose Hill Cemetery also lists her place of birth as Brazil.

Death and legacy Grave of Mrs. Callie (Kelly) Mitchell, Queen of the Gypsies in America, Died 1915 She died in labor, during the birth of her 14th or 15th child, in Coatopa, Alabama, but was buried in Meridian. The cemetery later became the final resting place for many other Roma, including her successor, Flora. the ordinance was lifted in August 2011.