Isabelle Kelley Motley

Isabelle Kelley Motley entered her Heavenly Home on September 25, 2025, at the age of 100. She was born on January 11, 1925, in a home located in an oil field in New Salem, Kansas, the daughter of Thadeus Leroy Kelley and Versie (Davis) Kelley.

Isabelle's early life was shaped by her father's work on oil derricks, which took the family to several communities across Kansas. She graduated from Winfield High School in 1942. Shortly after, she moved to Meade, Kansas, with her pastors, Rev. Stuart and Neva Reed, and began her career with a bookkeeping firm. In 1950, she relocated to Carthage with the Reeds and remained there when they moved on to serve another church, having secured a position with a CPS Accounting Firm.

On November 26, 1953, Isabelle married A.R. Motley, and together they were blessed with three children: Carole, Cindy, and Randy. She went on to serve as office manager for Grace Energy Corporation for an impressive 36 years.

Faith was central to Isabelle's life. She was a devoted member of the Carthage First Church of the Nazarene, where she served in many roles, including Sunday School teacher, NYPS (teen) president, missionary president, church board member, and treasurer for the Joplin District Nazarene Missions.

Isabelle was also a lifelong learner. In her 70s, she attended a computer class at Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, delighting in mastering new skills. One of her proudest personal milestones came in 2019, when she traveled to Alaska-her 50th state-fulfilling a lifelong dream.

Isabelle is lovingly remembered by her children, Carole (Dan) Pierce of Denver, Colorado; Cindy (Bryan) Hann of Carthage, Missouri; and Randy (Vana) Motley of Olathe, Kansas; along with 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, her parents, four brothers, three sisters, and her son-in-law, Charles Green.

The family wishes to extend special thanks to the nurses and staff at St. Luke's in Carthage, MO, and to Gentiva Hospice for their wonderful care and compassion.

Visitation will be held Friday, October 17, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., at Carthage First Church of the Nazarene. Memorial services will follow at 11:00 a.m., with Dustin Ledford officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Church of the Nazarene Youth, in care of Knell Mortuary, 308 W. Chestnut, Carthage, MO, 64836. Online condolences may be expressed through www.knellmortuary.com. Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Knell Mortuary.