EVELYN KELLEY

Evelyn Hargrove Kelley was born to Agnes Williams Hargrove and James Robert Hargrove on November 3, 1927 in El Dorado, Arkansas, and died on March 28, 2021 in Dallas, Texas. She met and married Ernest L. Kelley, Jr. (deceased) in Texarkana at age 18 and became a mother at 19. When the Army offered a job and benefits, Ernest re-enlisted in the Army and Evelyn began her tour as an Army wife. During the next 15 years she established family homes in Oklahoma, Georgia, Japan, Germany (3 places), Georgia (again), Louisiana, and Texas. She and Ernest settled in Austin, Texas, in 1961 and lived there for 56 years. Evelyn was a mother to five children. She and Ernest lost 2 babies, Lee and Kathleen, in infancy, but had 3 surviving children: Christine Kelley Ward (John), Mary Kelley Joiner (Paul), and James Allen Kelley (Patty). She also was the proud grandmother of Susan Ward Xioufaridou, Alex Ward (Meredith), Allison Kelley Kelly (Brandon), Greg Kelley, Brian Kelley (Amanda), Emily Joiner, Katherine Joiner Goldstone (David), and Allen Joiner (Jenna). Her 13 great-grandchildren are: Maria, Sophia, George, Calliope, and Tansy; Henry, Levi, and Willie; and Jacob, Elizabeth, McKinley, Caeden, and Sarah. She was predeceased by sister, Elizabeth Hunter, and brother, James R. Hargrove. She is survived by sisters-in-law Odistene Jones and Mary Jane Autry (Dodd), 1 niece and 7 nephews. When Ernest and Evelyn retired from the Army, Evelyn worked as a medical assistant in a doctor's office, the registrar's office at St. Edward's University, and later as the librarian for secret documents at the Applied Research Laboratory in Austin. Evelyn and Ernest took full advantage of their early retirements and thoroughly loved their time at their lake house in Daisy, Arkansas. They tried to travel to every state in the U. S. and stayed active in Hyde Park Christian Church, where they were members for over 50 years. Evelyn also enjoyed making quilts and crocheting afghans for every grandchild and anyone else who just wanted one for a great nap! She was a whiz at Jeopardy and crossword puzzles, was always up for a card game or dominoes, and loved to read and share her books. She spent many happy hours with Ernest and their dachshunds Tootsie Roll and Buster, drinking coffee on the deck at the lake house surrounded by pine trees. In lieu of flowers, you might consider a donation to Hyde Park Christian Church, 610 E. 45th Street, Austin, TX 78751 or to Heifer International, 1 World Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72202 or at heifer.org.