Kathleen Margaret Schwenck Kelly quietly departed this realm from the Hospice Unit at North MS Medical Center in Tupelo on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. She was 78 years old. Born in Des Moines, Iowa on April 17, 1945 to the late Otto Schwenck and Bernadine Schwenck, she relocated to Mississippi in 1958. She married the late James Edward Kelly in 1985 who died Jan. 4, 2010. Kathy, as she was known by many, worked early in life in garment factories. Later, she became a stay at home homemaker. Her primary interests in life revolved around animals and caring for them. On her land in Shannon, she tended chickens, had ducks and was the steward of many dogs and cats in her lifetime. She was even known to feed and take care of animals in their natural environment. Kathleen was a Christian and loved attending area Churches of all denominations.
A graveside-only service to honor her life will be held at 2 PM Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024 at Lee Memorial Park in Verona with the Rev. Kenny McGill officiating. There will be no public visitation. Holland Funeral Directors-Tupelo is honored to serve their friends.
Kathleen is survived by her three children, Ellen Gates and Debbie Kelly, both of Tupelo, and Jonathan Kelly of Shannon; her grandchildren, McKenzie Gates and Logan Gates; two brothers, David Schwenck of Tupelo and Bruce Schwenck (Carol) of Colorado Springs, Co; and her niece, Christine, and her nephews, Stephen and Robert.
Memorial donations in memory of Kathleen may be made to Tupelo-Lee Animal Shelter, P. O. Box 2143, Tupelo, MS 38802.
