Mary Ethel Kelley was born November 5, 1926, in Ottawa, Kansas, to Edward Franklin and Mildred Arlene (Owens) Heinlein. She died Tuesday, January 27, 2015, in Owasso, Oklahoma, at the age of 88 years. Mary completed her secondary education in Oklahoma City and graduated with the Central High School Class of 1944. She was married June 6, 1945, in Annapolis, Maryland, to Jack D. Kelley. Mary was a charter member of Belview Baptist Church in Tulsa and a 30-year member of Immanuel Baptist Church in Tulsa where she taught children’s Sunday school and worked with the children’s choir. While in Tulsa, she actively participated in the PTA while her children were in school, serving as president on more than one occasion. Mary and Jack made their home at the Baptist Village of Owasso in 1986 where she was active in the library ministry. Since moving to Owasso, she was a faithful member of Owasso First Baptist Church where she served in the senior adult’s ministry. She and Jack were also involved with Meals on Wheels. To satisfy their love for seeing new places and learning about history and nature, they also traveled to all 50 states and made a trip to the Holy Land. Mary had a great love for children that extended beyond her six J’s to all those she taught in Sunday school, choir, and Vacation Bible School. She always had a smile, but if needed, knew how to correct with a shake of the finger. She was an unselfish caregiver, never afraid to extend help or comfort when needed. She demonstrated God’s heart through the friendship and love she offered to those who came into her life.
Loving family members include: Six children; June Knaudt and her husband Ed, Palm Coast, Florida John Kelley and his wife Lynn, of San Diego, California James Kelley and his wife Betty, of Plano, Texas Judy Jackson and her husband Pete, of Collinsville, OK Janet Brister and her husband Scott, of Broken Arrow, OK Joe Kelley and his wife Carol, of Owasso, OK 12 grandchildren Five great grandchildren She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jack; two brothers, Owen Heinlein and E.W. Heinlein; and sister, Arlene Larson.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, January 29, 2015, at Mowery Funeral Service in Owasso. Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m., Friday, January 30, 2015, in the Alsup Chapel of the Baptist Village in Owasso with Pastor Dale Blackwood officiating. Committal services and interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery in Tulsa. The family requests memorial contributions be made to the Owasso Baptist Home for Children, 12700 East 76th Street North, Owasso, Oklahoma, 74055. Arrangements and services were entrusted to Mowery Funeral Service of Owasso. www.moweryfs.com
