ELIZABETH KELLEY
06/03/1943 - 08/14/2022
A beautiful spirit left this world when Elizabeth Davis Kelley, age 79, passed away on August 14, 2022 in Marble Falls, Texas following a three year battle with Alzheimers. She was born on June 3,
1943, to Henry Phillip Davis and Gladys Schill Davis in Edna, Texas.
She grew up in West University, attended Roberts Elementary, Pershing Junior High School and Lamar High School. In the Fall of 1961, she entered The University of Texas in Austin where she pledged Delta Gamma. She met her future husband, Rodney Ennis Kelley of Weatherford, Texas while at the University of Texas. They were married at St.Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Houston on August 15, 1964. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science from The University of Texas in Austin.
She is survived by her husband of fifty-eight years, Rodney Kelley; children Sean Kelley and wife Zeneida of Rockdale, Texas; Patrick Kelley M.D. of Austin; daughter Shannon Hayes M.D. and husband Patrick of Houston. Also, grandchildren, Elizabeth, Connor and Sarah Kelley; Rhett, Maddie and Jacob Kelley, daughter-in-law Julie Kelley all of Austin: Tommy, Will and Katherine Hayes of Houston; devoted brother James Phillip Davis and wife Martha Pugh M.D. As well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Liz joined Coldwell
Banker in 1985 and was a top producer with the Memorial office until her retirement in 2019. She was involved in numerous organizations including The Periwinkle Foundation, Houston Junior Women’s Club, Katy Panhellenic, Lay Eucharistic Minister at Epiphany of our Lord Catholic Church, and a Lifetime member of Texas Exes Organization.
However, her life would forever change on August
24, 1976 when her oldest son, Sean was diagnosed with leukemia. During his successful battle with cancer, Liz was determined to help other families whose lives were affected by childhood cancer. Along with fellow parent Don Mullens and Dr. Donald Fernbach, the head of Pediatric Oncology at Texas Children’s Hospital, they founded and built the Ronald McDonald House Houston in 1978. On the same day that Liz learned of Sean’s cancer diagnosis, she met Dick
East, a pilot with Southwest Airlines whose daughter,
Muffy East, had also been diagnosed that same day with lymphoma. Despite the circumstances from this unfortunate introduction,
Liz and Dick forged a lifelong friendship based upon helping other families whose children were battling cancer and Dick was instrumental in bringing Southwest Airlines to Ronald McDonald House Houston and to houses all over the country. If you knew Liz, you knew that, outside of her family, the Houston Ronald McDonald House was her life’s passion. She served on the Board of Directors as a founding member until her retirement in 2019.
Funeral Mass will be held at 2:00 pm, with a Rosary beginning at 1:30 pm, Saturday, August 27, 2022 in Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel at St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church, 6800 Buffalo Speedway, Houston, TX 77025.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to Liz’s favorite organization, in her name, The Ronald McDonald House Houston at www.rmhhouston.org/donate/. Or you can mail checks to 1907 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, Texas 77030.
We would like to thank the wonderful caregivers at Arbor House in Marble Falls, Texas. The family wishes to express gratitude for the warm welcome and invaluable help provided by Msgr. Young and his staff at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church.