Penny Kelly

Penny Kelly, aged 74, of Oden, Arkansas, passed away January 19, 2023, at the Montgomery County Nursing in Mount Ida, Arkansas. She was born September 12, 1948, to Jane C Davis and Robert Davis, Jr.

After graduating from the University of Plano with a BA in History, Penny worked at Meisel Photographic, where she was introduced to William “Bill” Kelly by her mother. They were married in October 1973 and had their daughter, Jennifer, in December 1974. Penny continued to work at Meisel until the family moved to Oden Arkansas in 1979, where Bill started teaching high school. She eventually started working at the shoe factory, until her retirement in 2012

Penny was a devoted wife and mother, always helping with the concession stand, or waiting for Bill as he chatted after basketball games. She had a great passion for horses, having ridden and owned them for most of her life. She was a giving friend, always quick to do what she could to support her friends in any way. And once she made friends, they were life-long. She was still in contact with her best friend since she was 12 years old, Chaundelle, and all the coworkers from the shoe factory were her friends as well.

Even as her Parkinson’s began to make a bigger impact on her health, she focused all of her energy on her family. She lived to help Bill manage his health issues and for the visits when Jennifer would come from Minnesota. A member of the Catholic Faith, she did, however, attend Pencil Bluff First Baptist Church with Bill. She still tried to keep in touch with the lives of her former coworkers, and finally, the family at Montgomery County Nursing Home. It was a great comfort to Bill and Jenni when the MCNH staff were not only to take care of Penny’s increasing needs, but to place her with Bill. They were able to stay together until he passed in 2020. They surely had an amazing reunion in Heaven!

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill, as well as her parents. She is survived by her daughter, Jennifer (Doug) Stanzell of Aurora, Minnesota, her beloved sister-in-law Marty (Tom) Hanson, cousin, Gerri (Tom) Hammond, and best friend, Chaundelle Havins.

Visitation will be Monday, January 23, 2023, 4:00-6:00 pm at Thornton Funeral Home Chapel. Graveside service will be Tuesday, January 24, 2023, 1:00 pm, at Board Camp Cemetery, Board Camp, Arkansas. Arrangements are under the direction of Thornton Funeral Service in Mt. Ida. Guest register at www.thorntonfh.com