Gladys Avis Kelley
Guest Book | Sign Guest Book
Gladys Kelley
1926- 2010
ST. JOSEPH, MO – Gladys Avis (Howe) Kelley, 84, of St. Joseph, passed away Monday, May 24, 2010 with her husband and children by her side after a courageous battle with breast cancer.
Gladys was born May 15, 1926 in Iowa Falls, Iowa, the daughter of Merle R. and Lela (Knott) Howe. Gladys moved to St. Joseph when she was 7 years old, attended Washington Elementary and graduated from Lafayette High School in 1944 and was a member of the King Hill Christian Church.
Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by an infant son, her sister and brother-in-law, Arlene and Lewis (Tody) Mitchell, two brothers died during childhood, a granddaughter, Tina Marie Willits and a great-great-grandson, Landon Ray.
Gladys was a lifelong homemaker, well known for her pies and potato salad, enjoyed many pleasures such as traveling to Texas in the winter season, campground friends and fish fry’s. She enjoyed playing cards with all of her life long friends. Her love of life was shared spending time with her husband, M. R. “Red” Kelley throughout their 65 years of marriage, and time spent with her children and grandchildren while in St. Joseph.
Survivors include her husband M. R. “Red” Kelley, daughter, Nancy Kelley, son and daughter-in-law, Terry and Candy Kelley, grandchildren, Corey Willits, Jennifer Kelley, Pete and Janelle Kelley, great-granddaughter, Lynae Kelley and great-grandson Cole Kelley. A brother, Merle “Sonny” Howe, and four nephews, many treasured friends both in St. Joseph and at the lake in Texas.
Gladys has been cremated and inurnment will be held at a later date at the Armstrong Cemetery in Rushville, MO. At this time no services will be held. In lieu of flowers, you may honor her memory with a donation to Kendallwood Hospice in St. Joseph or to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Awareness. Care was provided through Heaton-Bowman-Smith -Sidenfaden Funeral Home.