Jean (Dodd) Kelly

Jean Dodd Kelly, 89, passed away peacefully at her home Sunday, October 3, 2021.  Funeral services are 11 A.M. Tuesday, October 5 at Greenwood Delta Funeral Home with Rev. Preston “Butch” Kelly officiating.  Interment will follow in Itta Bena Cemetery.  Visitation is from 9-11 A.M. Tuesday prior to the service

Jean was born in Quito, MS to Tobie and Rena Duncan Dodd.  She lived all of her adult life on the Kelly place out on Lake Henry.  She was a faithful, active member of Itta Bena Baptist Church and attended regularly up until her physical health would not allow her to do so anymore.

Jean was known as “Ma” to most everyone. Ma helped raise several of her 17 grandchildren, as well as many others, at her place of business, Kelly Lumber Company.  She was known as a strong woman both mentally and physically.  She loved her church, her family and loved to cook for them as well as her many friends.  She cherished Christmas and Thanksgiving.  In her early retirement years, she cared for and nurtured her husband, Preston, as he fought his battle with Parkinson’s disease, until his death in November of 1999.  In her later years, she actively kept up with her 17 grandchildren and 44 great grandchildren.  She liked to take trips to see her children who lived away.  She also worked at Larry’s Fish House and was known for her award winning slaw and cucumber recipes.  As her physical health demised, she didn’t mind calling any of her children or grandchildren that she raised, to now return the favor and come help her with something at her home.  Ma also got pretty good with her iPad, as she sat in her wheelchair.  In recent years, as Pillow Academy girls won soccer and basketball championships, she was their biggest fan, watching on her iPad, especially cheering on her great granddaughter.  Ma just cherished family.

The widow of Roy Preston Kelly, she is survived by two daughters, Kathy Wier (Robbie) of Hernando and Pennye Johnson (Steve) of Moscow Mills, MO; four sons, Rev. Preston “Butch” Kelly, Jr. (Evie) of Itta Bena, Larry Kelly (Diane) of Schlater, David Kelly (Sherry) of Itta Bena and Rev. Tommy Kelly (Pam) of Houston, MS; a sister, Helen Guess of Kosciusko, 17 grandchildren and 44 great grandchildren.

Her grandchildren will serve as pallbearers.  Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Itta Bena or the charity of donor’s choice.

She was lovingly cared for by Lue Ella Donley, Jackie Griffin and Debra Addison.  The family wishes to offer a special word of thanks to Adoration Home Health.

Greenwood Delta Funeral Home (www.greenwooddeltafh.com) is in charge of arrangements.

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