Obituary of Louella Kelley

Louella Kelley, 94, of Jal, NM departed her earthly home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, September 9, 2020 in Hobbs, NM. She was born on January 22, 1926 in Stillwell, OK to Harb and Susie (Spade) Hensley and after her mother's death she raised five brothers and one sister. She moved to Muskogee, Ok where she met and married Odus L. Kelly on August 2, 1945 in Wagoner, Ok at First Baptist Church. Odus's parents served as their witnesses. Odus and Louella moved to Jal in 1951 where Odus began a new job and Louella babysat in her home with as many as 10-12 children a day. She truly loved children. She was an active member of Calvary Baptist Church and kept the nursery for over 40 years. Louella was also active in the Jal community and she assisted her best friend Norma Schooley at the D & N Restaurants and was a member of Order of Eastern Star, sharing her good cooking there also and she was always doing something to help others. She loved cooking and baking and was famous for her Apple dumplings and Italian Cream Cake. She baked daily and would take her goodies and give them to make someone's day better. She enjoyed sewing and quilting and was the seamstress for Jal during the "60's-70"s", making men's sports coats and ladies clothing. She also was employed by Jal Schools in the cafeteria and later as the cafeteria manager. She loved watching her two grandchildren, Phillip and Ginger play sports and she never missed a game, as she was their biggest fan. Louella always had a smile, a word of wisdom and a kind heart. She was the epitome of a loving and cherished wife, mother, grandmother and friend and truly a servant of God and was loved by one and all. Preceding her in death were her parents; Harb and Susie Hensley; her husband, Odus; one daughter: Deborah ; two sisters and seven brothers. Surviving her is her daughter: Jania and husband Mike Pearce of Jal, NM; two grandchildren: Phillip and wife Chelsea Pearce of Liberty Hill, TX and Ginger and husband, Ross Peters of Midland, TX and seven great-grandchildren: Grayson, Avery, Harper, Finleigh, Hunter, Hensley and Hannah and one sister: Lueine Fairchild of Tahlequah, OK and a host of friends. Graveside services will be held on Monday, September 14, 2020 at 10:00 am at Jal Cemetery in Jal, NM with Bro. Allen Speed officiating. Louella's family would like to express their gratitude to Goodlife Senior Care in Hobbs for the love they gave to their beloved mother and grandmother and the support they supplied during this difficult time; especially since they could not physically visit her. The employees of Goodlife gave her the hugs and kisses that the family could not give over the past five months during Covid and also to Kindred Hospice for their care and support in her last days. Arrangements are under the direction of Kirby-Ratliff Funeral Home of Lovington, NM. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Calvary Baptist Church, PO Box 1150, Jal, NM 88252, for the window fund. Condolences may be sent to www.kirbysmithrogers.com