Petra Gladys (Pete) Melton Kelly

Petra Gladys “Pete” Melton Kelly died peacefully at home on December 22, 2012, after living with breast cancer for 18 years. Pete was born in Santiago, Dominican Republic and grew up in Plaquemine, Louisiana, the youngest child (known as “baby sister”) of Dr. Edward Cabiness Melton and Winifred Glover Postell. After graduating from LSU, she celebrated 57 years of devoted and loving marriage with her husband, William Grady “Bill” Kelly, Jr. Pete and Bill’s bond was inspiring to their children and all who knew them.

Pete was a loving mother to her children and their spouses: Kathleen Kelly O’Bannon (Tom) of Charlotte, NC, Edward Melton Kelly (Lisa Hale) of Kingwood, TX, and Nancy Logan Kelly Falgoust (John) of New Orleans, LA. She was a fun and exuberant Mimi to seven grandchildren: Clark Edward and Brian Kelly O’Bannon; Virginia Claire, Glen Edward, and Margaret “Maggie” Ann Kelly; and Caroline Kelly and John “Jack” Robert Falgoust III. She was predeceased by her son, William Grady Kelly, III, and her sister, Lucille Rae (Tee-Rae) Dismukes of Alabaster, Alabama. Pete is survived by her husband Bill, and also her brother, Capt. Edward C. Melton, USN (ret.), of Virginia Beach, Virginia, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and lifelong friends.

A graduate of LSU and later ULM, Pete was a lifelong Tri-Delt, having served as President of the LSU chapter. She worked for and served her community in many varied ways as a member and leader of several organizations, including PEO Chapter AK, the Monroe Garden Club, the Monroe Symphony League, the DAR, the Louisiana State Bar Association Law League and the Monroe Junior League.

Pete led a full life of loving example as a loyal member of First United Methodist Church, Monroe, where she and Bill were founding members of the Aldersgate Sunday School class, and she shared her passion for music and singing as a member of the Chancel Choir. Among her many other passions were children and teaching, especially reading. She taught kindergarten and first grade at Grace Episcopal School for over 14 years. Following retirement, she continued to mentor, nurture and teach, as an adult literacy tutor and as a Guardian Ad Litem for CASA and, most recently, as the founding director of the STAIR (Start the Adventure in Reading) tutoring program at First United Methodist Church which serves second graders at Jack Hayes Elementary school.

Family visitation will be from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM Wednesday, December 26 at First United Methodist Church, Monroe, followed immediately at 1:00 PM with a Service of Celebration with Reverend Larry Stafford officiating. Burial will be at Longstraw Cemetery in Longstraw, south of Choudrant, Louisiana following the service.

Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, Monroe, or the STAIR tutoring program, care of First United Methodist Church, 3900 Loop Road, Monroe, LA 71201.

The family would like to thank Dr. Gary Burton and his staff, especially Janice Yager, at LSU Medical Center, Shreveport, and Dr. Charles G. (Chuck) Morgan for their attentive and devoted care.

Online Registry/Condolences: www.mulhearnfuneralhome.com

Visitation
11AM-1PM Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2012
First United Methodist Church
3900 Loop Road, Monroe

Service
1PM Wednesday, December 26, 2012
First United Methodist Church
3900 Loop Road, Monroe

Interment
Longstraw Cemetery
south of Choudrant, LA