Willie Jane Kelley

Willie Jane Stott Kelley, the sweetest, kindest lady, an angel from Heaven returned to her Heavenly Father and the arms of her Savior on Saturday, April 15, 2023.   She was born to Robert Edward Stott and Loree Hancock Stott on October 27, 1931 in Jasper, Texas and resided in Bevilport, Texas for her early childhood years.  When Willie Jane was 9 years old her Daddy passed away and she and her mother moved to Peach Tree to live with her loving grandmother, Dora Pruitt Hancock where she grew up surrounded by many loving aunts, uncles and cousins.  Willie Jane graduated from Jasper High School in 1949 and worked as a store clerk in Jasper until she married her childhood sweetheart, Charles Edward Kelley.   The young couple moved to Silsbee where they settled to raise their family.  Jane, as she was known by friends in Silsbee, was a hard worker and kept busy all the time.   She worked as a rural route mail carrier for the Silsbee Post Office along with her husband Charles and retired after 30 years of service.   Jane loved the people on her mail route.  She would often bring treats for children on her route and deliver more than just mail to families who were in need.  Jane also worked as a bookkeeper in her “spare” time for Jacque’s dress shop in downtown Silsbee.  In addition to being the most amazing wife and mother anyone could ask for, Jane worked alongside Charles helping him run a farm and raising a huge garden full of produce that they would sell to the community.   She loved to stay busy, raising chickens, sewing, cooking, making jams, jelly, and pickles.  She was also active in community service as a member of the Beta Sigma Chi sorority and a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Silsbee.  She loved camping and fishing and family trips to Dam-B were a frequent occurrence.  After Charles and Jane retired from the Post Office, they loved traveling with their lifelong Jasper friends.  The “East Texas Bunch” saw many wonderful sights across the country. 

When they were not traveling or fishing or gardening, Jane spent much of her time visiting people in nursing homes and constantly caring for others in need.  If there was just one word to describe her life, it would have to be love.  She showed unconditional love to everyone all the time and embraced anyone who sought to be in her circle of love and friendship.   Willie Jane Kelley was a true follower of Jesus Christ and an example to all of us of unwavering faith in the face of trials.  We celebrate her life and rejoice with the Lord and all her family and friends who welcomed her home to paradise where there is no doubt a great reunion filled with unspeakable joy and endless love. 

Jane is survived by her three children, Rocky Kelley and wife Jackie of Grand Lake, Louisiana; Bobby Kelley and wife Sonja of Silsbee, Texas; Jan Kelley-King  and husband Freeman of Logan, Utah;  7 grandchildren: Carl Kelley and wife Courtney, Bo Kelley, Lauren Johnson and husband Kevin, Kyle Kelley and wife Katherine, Kristine Verdine and husband Garrett, Bethany Jane Anderson and husband Kaleb, and Kelley McCay King;  7 great grandchildren: Jade Theriot, Hillary Jane Kelley, Audrey Kelley, Eli Kelley, Landon Kelley, Clay Kelley and Stella Kelley and 2 great-great grandchildren, Asher and Willow. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Edward Kelley.

Donations can be made in her name to First Baptist Church of Silsbee where she was a faithful member for many years. 

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