Frances L. Kelley

It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of our mother, Frances L. Kelley, at the age of 90 on September 7th, 2025, while surrounded by her loving family at her home in Green Cove Springs, Florida.

Heaven has gained a beautiful angel!

Frances was born on November 21st, 1934, in Sampson Alabama. She grew up and graduated in Florala, Alabama.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Bonnie and Buster Clark, Brothers James, Hermon, and Tommy Clark, husband of 61 years Nathan Donald Kelley and grandson Charles Nathan “Bear” Roberts.

Frances is survived by her three children; Russell (Martha), Mike (Ella) Kelley, daughter Bonnie (George) Reagan. 10 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren, 6 great, great grandchildren and another arriving soon, many nieces, nephews, cousins, sister in laws Peggy, Nell, and Mary, sister/cousin Bobbie Milby and her Hickory Grove Baptist Church family.

In 1953, Frances married her childhood sweetheart Nathan Donald Kelley in Mississippi. They moved to Green Cove Springs where they lived out their lives on the water of the St. Johns River raised their kids and watched their family grow.

Frances’ work career consisted of being a cashier at a grocery store, a supervisor/trainer at Burlington Yarn Factory, The Bank of Green Cove Springs, and retired from the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Clay County in the finance department. She also worked part time at Bold Bloom Florists.

Prior to her retirement, she along with her husband were an integral part of the beginning and building of the “Carl Pugh” Athletic Park in GCS, where she was a girls softball coach and served as the softball commissioner. She was a pitcher for the “mechanics”, women’s travel softball team coached by her husband. A member of Clay High Schools Quarterback Club, she worked hard at being able to attend every game, no matter the sport of her kids, grandkids, and great grand kids.

After retirement, Frances and Donald traveled everywhere. They saw sights some of us only dream about.

She was a member of the Women's VIA in Green Cove Springs and served at one time as the treasurer. She was a member of a travel club and enjoyed every adventure. She loved and looked forward to Sunday lunches with the ladies from church while she was able to participate.

She loved to crochet, read, travel, fish, paint, sports and volunteering at the food pantry. Also just sitting watching the river and taking in its beauty.

Taking and passing her driver’s license test in an old beat-up logging truck, passing with flying color. The Christmas parties at her home where there was standing room only. Her protectiveness when it came to those she loved, family and friends. Let's don't forget her love of shopping and those Thursday “hair” days.

She will be remembered for her love of God and living life to the fullest, for being a giving and caring person, and most of all for being the best mom, nana, and big nana a family could have ever been blessed with.

Pallbearers will be Frances’ beloved grandsons Jason, Georgie, Brian, Shaun, Steven and Steve.

Honorary pallbearers are also her beloved grandsons and great grandsons Devon, Nathan, Julian, Elijah, Rylan, Jordan, Daniel, Jack, Andrew, Bobby, Kaleb, and Tommy.

A celebration of Frances’ life will be held on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at Hickory Grove Baptist in Green Cove Springs.

The family will receive friends and loved ones from 10:00-11:00 AM. Funeral services will immediately follow at 11:00 AM with Pastor Art Gipson officiating and subsequent burial at Hickory Grove Cemetery.