Fay Imogene Kelly, 84, of Silsbee, passed from this life on Tuesday, January 7, 2014 while a resident at Pine Arbor Health Care Center in Silsbee.
Born April 5, 1929 in Bessmay, TX to parents, Clifford and Lena (Scarborough) Darter, she was a longtime resident of Silsbee and had lived in Buna prior to moving to Silsbee.
Mrs. Kelly worked many jobs throughout her life and just prior to retirement she worked as an office manager and bookkeeper for Fagg Steel in Silsbee and Franklin Steel in Beaumont. She enjoyed spending time with her family and caring for her children. Fay loved animals, spending lots of time with her cats and the many dogs she'd had. She enjoyed feeding and observing the hummingbirds outside her window. Prior to his passing, she enjoyed time spent at the lake with her husband, Leon. Mrs. Kelly was the rock of her family, being supportive of her husband in his ventures in providing for his family, raising, supporting and encouraging her daughters and cooking and serving meals for her family and friends. Her daughters will fondly remember her pinto beans, turnip greens and fried cornbread, the family's favorites. Mrs. Kelly was normally a quiet person and took pride in her appearance and that of her daughters, who learned from their mom.
Mrs. Kelly is preceded in death by her husband of more than 50 years, Leon Kelly; her parents, Clifford and Lena Darter and her brother Everette Darter.
Left to continue her legacy and cherish her memory are her daughters, Debra Kelly Atmar and husband David of Silsbee, Sharla J Kelly Broussard and husband Greg of Orange and Kayla L Kelly Sheppard and husband Randy of Silsbee; five grandchildren, Rex Lee Atmar, Bobby Atmar, Joshua Atmar, Brandi Monasco and husband Tommy and Amanda Denmon and her great granddaughter, Avery Perkins.
Funeral services to remember and honor Mrs. Kelly's life will be at 11:00 am Friday, January 10, 2014 at the First Baptist Church of Silsbee, 350 N 5th St, Silsbee with Reverend Terry Graves with the Word of Life Church in Silsbee, officiating. Rite of Committal and Interment will follow services, where she will be laid to rest next to her husband in R S Farmer Memorial Cemetery in Silsbee. A gathering of Mrs. Kelly's family and friends for a time of reflection and sharing of memories will be from 5:00 pm until 9:00 pm Thursday, January 9, 2014 at Farmer Funeral Home in Silsbee.
Mrs. Kelly's family wishes to thank the staff of Pine Arbor Health Care Center in Silsbee and the Staff of Altus Hospice for their care of their mom during her final months.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Research Division at M D Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston TX 77030-4000, (713)792-2121 or www.mdanderson.org or in honor of Mrs. Kelly's love of animals, to any animal rescue facility of the donor's choice.
