Loretta Kelly

Loretta Ione (Rhoades) Kelly, daughter of the late Kelley Eldon and Carrie (Shultz) Rhoades, was born November 24, 1927, near Norwood, Missouri, the 13th of 15 children, and went into the presence of God her Savior November 6, 2023, at her home near Norwood, Missouri. She was 95 years, 11 months, and 13 days of age.

Loretta was a born again Christian. She was saved in a revival meeting at Oak Forest Church in 1941. She followed her Lord Jesus Christ in believer’s baptism on Sunday, December 7, 1941. They were gathered at church in the afternoon to go to the creek, when her brother came and told them of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Loretta met the love of her life, Garnett Allen Kelly, and they were united in marriage January 27, 1945. Five sons were born to this union: Donald Eugene Kelly, Ronald Dean Kelly, Stephen Duane Kelly, Reginald Glenn Kelly, and Van Allen Kelly.

Loretta was a faithful, devoted, and dedicated believer and follower of Jesus Christ. She trusted completely in Jesus’ death on the cross for her sins, His burial, and His glorious resurrection. She also fully committed to prayer, Bible reading, and faithful attendance to church.

Loretta was a devoted wife and life mate. She loved her husband and she reverenced and respected him. She was a helpmate in all of his life work and pursuits.

Loretta was a loving mother who laid down her life for her children. Each one will arise and call her blessed. She fed, clothed, nurtured, trained, and disciplined them. She took an exciting interest in her son’s lives and interests. She faithfully prayed for them.

Loretta was a lover of the Lord and His life and creation. She saw beauty in His creation. She enjoyed her flowers and loved working in her garden. She saw and enjoyed the wonder of God’s creation in the trees, sky, animals, seasons, and everything around her.

To her family, Loretta was the best cook in the world. Most of her life, she grew and cooked the food for her family. She canned and froze all manner of fruit and vegetables. She was also an excellent seamstress and “…a keeper at home…” (Titus 2:5).

One of Loretta’s greatest attributes and character traits was her firm stand for truth and right, yet standing with a loving heart. She loved you enough to disapprove of your sin, even rebuke you, but she did it in a spirit of love.

We will eternally thank God for her and cherish the ocean of wonderful memories! She was truly a Proverbs 31 woman!

Besides her parents, Loretta was preceded in death by her husband of 72 years, Garnett Kelly, seven brothers, Kenneth Rhoades, Eldon Rhoades, Roger Rhoades, Omer Rhoades, Jess Rhoades, Dean Rhoades, and Clyde Rhoades, seven sisters, Bertha Alexander, Connie Schudy, Margaret Faverty, Ruth Logan, Helen Allen, Pauline Halford, and Hester Moles.

She is survived by five sons, Don Kelly and his wife, Jan, Ron Kelly and his wife, Deanna, Steve Kelly and his wife, Kim, Reg Kelly and his wife, Karen, and Van Kelly, 23 grandchildren, 62 great-grandchildren, 13 great-great-grandchildren, two sisters-in-law, Carol Rhoades and Patsy Rhoades, one brother-in-law, John Moles, and many other extended family and friends who will miss her.

We want to thank each and every one of you who have expressed your love and encouragement, and for all of the flowers and other expressions of care.

–The Loretta Kelly Family