Frances Beatrice Holloway Kelley, age 97 of Warren, passed away on Tuesday, May 17, 2022 at Chapel Woods Health and Rehabilitation. She was born September 9, 1924 in Bradley County to the late Melvin John Holloway and Annie Mae Forester Holloway. She married J. W. Kelley, Jr., on March 25, 1944, and he passed away on April 14, 1987 after 43 years of marriage. She was also preceded in death by a beloved son-in-law, Morris Dean Bryant.
Frances came from a large family and had nine brothers and sisters. She was the last surviving sibling. Brothers preceding her in death were Arthur Holloway, Fred Holloway, Allen “Tobe” Holloway, James “Jim” Holloway, and J.T. Holloway. Sisters were Atha Davis, Hazel Teague, Jessie Lassiter, and Betty Wangle.
Frances was a homemaker most of her adult life. She was a clever cook who used fresh vegetables from the gardens that she and J.W. planted each summer. She loved to fish and enjoyed spending time with J.W. at their camp house on the Saline River. After her children were in high school, she worked for a time at Jack Winter Sportswear and then took a job in the furniture factory at Potlatch Corporation. In her later years, she helped take care of many of the elderly in Warren, sitting with them and doing domestic work as needed.
Frances is survived by two children, Terry Gene Kelley (LaDonna) of Fayetteville and Debbie Bryant of Warren. She also leaves behind grandchildren Jamie Loftin (Jeff) of Fayetteville, Julie Flowers (Scott) of Clarksdale, Mississippi, and Leslie Bryant Reep of Warren. Also left to cherish her memory are great grandchildren Kate Loftin, Cameron Loftin, Gaines Flowers, Jonathan Flowers, and Karley Reep.
A graveside service was 2 p.m. Saturday, May 21 at Oakland Cemetery in Warren with Terry Kelley officiating. Burial was in Oakland Cemetery by Frazer’s Funeral Home. Active pallbearers were Steve Barnes, Jeff Loftin, Scott Flowers and Randy McKinney. Honorary pallbearers were Dr. David Chambers, Tommy Maxwell, Dr. Kerry Pennington, Dr. Scott Claycomb and Ed Lain.
