Velma Lea Kelley, of Dixon, was born on March 1, 1938, at Dixon, a daughter of James Knox Polk and Orpha Leah (Carter) Hand and departed this life at 11:29 p.m., Sunday, April 1, 2018 at her residence in Dixon. Mrs. Kelley had attained the age of 80 years and 1 month.

Mrs. Kelley was united in marriage on October 14, 1969, at Vienna, to Oral Merral Kelley. She was preceded in death by her husband on February 9, 1971; her father, James in 1990; her mother, Orpha in 1994; and one brother, James Thomas Hand on August 14, 2003.

Mrs. Kelley was baptized as a teenager and was a member of the First Baptist Church, Dixon. She was a loving and devoted wife and sister and she enjoyed going to gospel singings.

Those left to mourn the passing of Mrs. Kelley include: her three sisters, Melba Goth, Clinton; Carol Hand, Dixon and Ruby Humphrey, Deepwater; and many other relatives and friends.

Interment in the Dixon Cemetery under the direction of the Long-Kloeppel Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Dixon.

Memorials are suggested by the family to the Dixon Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund or the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital with envelopes available at the Long-Kloeppel Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Dixon.