Shirley Ann Kelley, 84, of Mount Vernon, Illinois, passed away at 9:24 am February 21, 2022 at Mount Vernon Countryside Manor in Mount Vernon.

She was born March 11, 1937 in Mount Vernon, Illinois to the late William Bryan and Ruth Jane (Williams) Reece. Shirley married Rex Kelley on June 26, 1954 in Park Avenue Baptist Church in Mount Vernon, Illinois. They were blessed with nearly thirty-four years of marriage before he preceded her in death on January 20, 1958.Shirley is survived by her daughter, Lisa Kinison and husband, David of Mount Vernon, Illinois; nieces, Susan Sanders and husband, Carl, Donna Hicks and husband, Paul both of Carbondale, Illinois, Marsha Carter, Linda Reece both of Decatur, Illinois; and nephew, Mark DeVivo and wife, Carolyn of Decatur, Illinois.In addition to her parents and husband, Shirley was preceded in death by her sisters, Eileen DeVivo, Mary Piercy Staley; brothers, Allan Reece, Eugene “Jeep” Reece; nephews Larry Reece and Mike DeVivo; and niece, Gloria DeVivo. Shirley attended Park Avenue Baptist Church and was saved at the age of eleven. She enjoyed southern gospel singing, visiting the sick, serving her Lord and Savior and nursing home ministries. In early years, she worked for Illinois Bell for eight years, Good Samaritan for eight years, Electrolux Sale for seventeen years and later a telemarketer for Kriby and Beltone. She also worked part time for Audible Hearing Center. Shirley will be greatly missed.

A Visitation will be held Friday, February 25, 2022 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm at Newell Funeral Home in Mount Vernon, Illinois. A Funeral Service will begin at 12:00 pm with Reverend Mitch Flesch officiating. Interment will follow at East Hickory Hill Cemetery in Bluford, Illinois. Memorials may be made in Shirley’s honor to Park Avenue Baptist Church Food Pantry.Call Newell Funeral Home at 618-246-0100 or visit newellfuneralhome.com for further information.