J. W. Kelley

James William ""J W"" Kelley, 81, of Poplar Bluff, died July 2, 2011 at Westwood Hills Healthcare Center in Poplar Bluff. Mr. Kelley was born June 3, 1930 in Holland, Mo. He had retired from farming and had also been a school bus driver. Mr. Kelley was a member of First Baptist Church; enjoyed his family and extended family, flower gardening, RV camping, and meeting with friends at the coffee shop.

On Oct. 25 1947 he married Helene Ruth Spencer in Piggott, Ark. She preceded him in death on April 23, 2004.

Surviving are three children, Stephen Kelley and wife Kerry of Alton, Mo., Gayle Robison and Doug Kelley and wife Becky all of Poplar Bluff; 6 grandchildren, Angie Kelley of Springdale, Ark, Stephanie Hadley and husband Mike of Poplar Bluff, Charlie Robison and wife Kayla of Greensboro, N.C., John Robison and wife Rachel Cooper of Poplar Bluff, Cassie Kelley of Kigali Rwanda, Africa, and Brandon Kelley of Annapolis, Mo.; 2 great grandsons, Kaleb and Hunter Hadley of Poplar Bluff; 2 step grandchildren, Emmie and Timothy Webb of West Plains, Mo.; former daughter-in-law Shiela Lawson of Springdale, Ark.; 2 sisters, Joyce Garner and husband Jim of Poplar Bluff, Mary James and husband Gerald of Steele, Mo.; sister-in-law Millie Somers and husband Ray of Crown Point, Ind, 5 brothers-in-law Jim Rucker of Blytheville, Ark., Charles Spencer and wife Keiko of Midwest City, Okla., Jim Spencer and wife Esther of Black Oak, Ark., Bill Spencer and wife Heidi of Belleville, Ill., and Fred Spencer and wife Pat of Ben Wheeler, Tex.

Preceding Mr. Kelley in death were his parents, James Arthur and Virgie Mae (Douglas) Kelley, and a sister Rubye Rucker.

Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 5, 2011 at Cotrell Funeral Chapel. Funeral Services will be at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 6, 2011 at the funeral home chapel with Dr. William Vail officiating. Burial will be at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday at Mt. Zion Cemetery in Steele, Mo.

Memorials may be made to UCAN (United Cancer Assistance Network) 1419 West Maud St., Poplar Bluff, Mo. 63901.

Family and friends may share an online condolence or memory at www.cotrellfuneralservice.com