Obituary for Shelley Kelley

Shelley Dawn Kelley, 58, of Heavener was born Feb. 13, 1964 in Nowata to Cecil and Claudette (Welch) O’Neal and passed away Oct. 15, 2022 in Chouteau.

Funeral services are 2 p.m. Thursday at the Pilgrim’s Rest Baptist Church in the Reichert community with Brother John Travis officiating.  Interment will follow in the Summerfield Cemetery, under the direction of Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home of Heavener.

Shelley was a 1982 graduate of LeFlore High School and a member of Pilgrim’s Rest Baptist Church. Shelley loved her work family at MCS Construction Company, where she was the payroll clerk for many years. She was very proud of her Choctaw heritage and was a member of Choctaw Nation.  She poured her whole heart into every aspect of her life. If you knew her, you knew she put everyone before herself; the greatest example of how to be a shoulder to lean on. Shelley was a proud supporter of her grandchildren in every area of their lives and knew how to have fun with them. As she made many memories full of laughter, that will last a lifetime. Her relationship with Jesus radiated from her smile and provides comfort as she is now reunited with many loved ones in Heaven. She will be missed greatly by her family and many friends.

She is survived by her mother, Claudette Hamner of the Reichert community; five daughters Alicia Herell and husband Jason of Heavener, Christie Branscum and husband Aaron of Fanshawe, Cari Kothenbeutel and husband Zach of Poteau, April Elliott of Marshfield, Missouri, and Kim Davison (bonus daughter) and husband Nate of Trumann, Arkansas; one son, Eddie Kelley, of Sapulpa; two brothers Keith O’Neal and wife Deanne of Summerfield, and Robert Hamner of Caldwell, Idaho; two sisters Shelia Hollan of Heavener and Melissa Partin of Fort Smith, Arkansas; one brother-in-law Mike Kelley of Paragould, Arkansas; special work buddy, Mitchell Hornback; a beloved friend Debra O’Neal of Hodgen; 14 grandchildren Raelyn Herell, Luke Herell, Kinley Belle Branscum, Lillie Branscum, Maggie Branscum, Nashoba Kelley, Clarey Davison, Dillion Shetrone, Kaylee Molnar, Zachary Kelley, Arabella Pyle, Matthew and Andrea Kelley, Justin Kelley and Jessica Kelley; six great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other loved ones, and a host of friends.

She is preceded in death by her father, Cecil O’Neal; her husband, Chris Kelley; and a nephew, Jacob Hollan.

Pallbearers are Shawn Whitehead, Ryne O’Neal, Kendall O’Neal, Michael Cantwell, Cody Kelley and Brad Nelson. Honorary pallbearers are Mitchell White, Chauncey Whitehead, Cordell Whitehead, Dee Johnson and Jeff Goad.

She will lie in state from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m., Wednesday and 9 a.m. until noon Thursday at the funeral home. The church will be providing a meal for the family at noon on Thursday.

The family will visit with friends from 6 until 8 p.m., Wednesday at the funeral home.

To sign Shelley’s online guestbook please visit www.dowdenrobertsfuneralhome.com.

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Craig Hall
Publisher and owner of Heavener Ledger and leflorecountyjournal.com