Wava Geraldine Kelley

Wava Heard was born, the ninth of ten children, to Jim and Maudie Heard, on June 9th, 1926, and departed this life on September 19th, 2014
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After a six week courtship, Wava married Rex Kelley on July 16, 1943. They had 59 wonderful years together, before Rex passed away in May 2002. To this union three children were born: Richard Keith, Janice, and Joy.

Wava and Rex were faithful members of Union Grove Freewill Baptist church as long as their health permitted.

Warm and caring, Wava made every person she encountered feel loved and special. Wholly devoted to her family, Wava never worked outside the home. Her children weren't aware, while growing up, that all kids didn't come home after school to hot cookies or some other homemade treat. Whether for a Christmas family celebration or simply a visit from friends or family, she made her home a pleasure to visit, filling it with plenty of games or other crafts for her grandchildren, and assuring others in her home were welcome. A visit to Rex and Wavas home was always one of love, laughter, and stories of treasured memories.

She never drove a car, although Joy remembers one incident when her mom thought Jan wasn't driving carefully enough and grabbed the steering wheel, causing them to end up in a ditch. Wava never again had the inclination to help anyone drive.

Besides her parents and her husband, Wava is preceded in dealth by all nine of her siblings, along with two of her children: Richard Keith and Janice.

She leaves in her passing one daughter, Joy (Larry) Smith, Bolivar, MO; Son-In-Law, Denny Delcour, Isabella, MO; five grandchildren, Denise (Steve) Douglass, Lebanon, MO; Russ Hilt, Lebanon, MO; Douglas (Dionne) Smith, Wentzville, MO; Wendy (Brian) Swope, Battlefield, MO; and Jason (Niki) Smith, Springfield, MO; eleven great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren; two sisters-in-law; Erma Forrest and Maxine Whited, and many nieces and nephews.

Her loving kindness will never be forgotten by those who knew and loved her.


Visitation: Tuesday, September 23, 2014 at 10:00 AM, prior to the funeral service, in the Craig-Hurtt Chapel.

Funeral Service: Tuesday, September 23, 2014 at 11:00 AM in the Craig-Hurtt Chapel.

Burial: Oak Grove Cemetery