Beverly Jean Kelley

Beverly Jean Kelley, 85, entered Heaven's Gates on Friday, July 19, 2019 at Missouri Baptist Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, with her girls by her side. Beverly was born in Lawrenceville, Illinois, the second daughter of the late Randall F. and Mary Margurite Ring Fortner. She was married to James R. "Jim" Kelley on November 28, 1951 in Piggott, Arkansas. She was a member of Hopewell Baptist Church in New Bloomfield and she enjoyed traveling with her girls, oil painting, quilting, crocheting and the St. Louis Cardinals. She graduated from Riverview Gardens High School in Bellefontaine Neighbors, Missouri and attended Westminster College and William Woods University in Fulton before receiving her Bachelor's Degree from Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri at the age of 50. She worked for the State of Missouri for 31 years until her retirement. Beverly was a published poet and a former Mary Kay representative. She was very proud of her girls and she will be remembered as a very loving mother and grandmother. Survivors include her husband, Jim; four daughters, Judy Harris, Debbie (Ron) Murphy, Diane (Scott) Young and Sherri (Rick) Knoll; eight grandchildren, Craig Abbott, Kristi Heritage, Kelley Klein, Angela "Angie" Rummerfield, Karly Lawson, Elizabeth "Beth" McGeorge and Aaron Murphy; along with 17 great-grandchildren, Ashton Rydman, Asasiah "Asiah" Rydman, Delaney Brunk, Chandler Rydman, Braeden Klein, Sarah Abbott, Phoenix Lawson, Macie Abbott, Jersey Lawson, Samuel McGeorge, Carl "Jack" McGeorge, Bentley Lawson, Lucas "Luke" McGeorge, Evan Rummerfield, Memphis Lawson, Madison "Maddie" Rummerfield and Charlotte McGeorge. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Shirley Ann Savens; grandson, Rick Hunger; and her beloved pets, Charlie Brown and Buddy. The family will receive guests at Debo Funeral Home in Holts Summit, Missouri from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 24, 2019. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be at Hopewell Baptist Church Cemetery in New Bloomfield, Missouri. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hopewell Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, in care of Debo Funeral Home, 833 Court Street, Fulton, MO 65251. Online condolences may be made at www.debofuneralhome.com