Dorthea M. Kelly

Dorthea (Dorothy) Mae Kelly, 97, passed away peacefully in her sleep with her beloved family by her side, in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Sept. 22, 2023.

Born on June 20, 1926, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, to Viola and Olan Melton, Dorothy grew up in the loving home of her grandparents, Martha and E.H. House. She spent her formative years attending the “school of hard knocks.”

In the 1950s, Dorothy was a manager and partner of “The Carousel Bar” in Hot Springs, Arkansas, during which time there was a major boom of modern hotels and thriving variety of entertainment.

While in Hot Springs, she met the love of her life, Louis Edward Kelly. They married in 1942 and remained so for 51 years until his passing in 1993.

Dorothy loved traveling and spent much of her time between Hot Springs, Houston, and Las Vegas. She also enjoyed gambling and as rumor would have it, Dorothy and Lady Luck were great friends.

Though a kind and loving woman, Dorothy was most known for her larger than life personality and impossibly funny sense of humor, which will be missed by all who knew her.

Dorothy is survived by daughter, Linda Sue Moniz of Las Vegas, Nevada, and son, Michael Wayne Kelly (Martha) of Hot Springs, Arkansas; grandson, Michael Wayne Kelly II and granddaughter, Lisa Manzione; two great-grandchildren, Michael Manzione III (Guisell) and Michelle Manzione.

Becoming a more private person later in life, Dorothy wished for no funeral services. Donations in her name may be made to the American Cancer Society.