Obituary of Jean Kelley

Jean Rhodes Kelley was born on March 1, 1930 in Dallas, Texas to Alvah Mitchell Rhodes and Pauline May McCrary Rhodes. She departed from this life on Wednesday, May 30th, in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the age of 82 years. Jean attended Central High School, graduating in 1948. Her college years were spent at the University of Tulsa where she was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, a Sigma Alpha Epsilon sweetheart and 1951 homecoming queen. It was during that time she met her husband of 61 years, Jack W. Kelley. They married on January 26, 1951 and lived in Tulsa where Jack was an architect, builder and developer. Jean spent much of her life as a wife, mother, friend, philanthropist and interior designer. Jean was a beautiful, sweet woman who created beauty all around her. She had an adventuresome spirit and would try anythingwhether it was tennis, bridge, bowling, scuba diving or traveling to third world countries. She was also an accomplished dancer and spent much of her time devoted to the Tulsa Ballet. An active member of the community, she spent many hours volunteering for Children's Day Nursery, CP organization, and was one of the original members of the Red Glove Revue. Jean was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church, Southern Hills Country Club, Summit Club, Philcrest Tennis Club, 3M Investment Club and Philbrook Art Museum. Perhaps what many will remember the most, however, is not all of her accomplishments or worldly achievements, but the beautiful smile, the twinkle in her beautiful blue eyes and the soft sweet voice that she resonated. Jean was truly the essence of a lady. Jean is survived by her husband of 61 years Jack; their daughter, Jennifer B. "Jenny" Kelley of Tulsa; her granddaughters, Whitney J. White, Shelby L. Knowlton, and Kelley E. Knowlton; her sisters, Jenny Miller, Eve Rhodes, Shirley Rush and Carolyne Cathey. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her daughter and son-in-law, Karen L. Kelley Bohnefeld and William O. Bohnefeld and siblings, Paula Rhodes Vint, Victoria Rhodes Hill, Alvah "Sonny" Rhodes Jr. The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 pm Monday, June 4th in the Ninde Brookside Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held at Asbury United Methodist Church on Tuesday, June 5th at 11:00. The family has requested that memorials be made to Philbrook Museum of Art, 2727 S. Rockford, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74114