Kelly Lane Hedgepeth

Kelly Lane Hedgepeth, 50, of West Monroe, LA and Raleigh, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on November 9, 2025 after a lengthy illness spanning 8 months. Family members were present at her bedside.

Kelly was born on February 11, 1975, in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, where she grew up in nearby Nashville, North Carolina. She attended college at North Carolina State University, where she earned her bachelor's degree in natural resource management. Kelly continued her education at Montreat College in Montreat, North Carolina, where she earned a master’s degree in environmental education. This led to a career as an environmental specialist for the state of North Carolina’s Department of Agriculture.

During the next 20 years, Kelly built a reputation as a leader both in the field and in the office. Her coworkers spoke very highly of her leadership and experience, crediting her common-sense approach to team problems as her biggest attribute. She led her teams by educating and training individuals in soil development contracts, responsible land use, and sometimes chair yoga or scavenger hunts around Raleigh, North Carolina.

Kelly was a vivacious, vibrant red-headed firecracker of a woman. One who tackled her life each day with a rare passion for life that was uniquely hers. She managed the hardship of her illness with bravery, grace, and humor that made her fell well-loved by the nurses and doctors caring for her. Kelly practiced and believed that kindness to others should be sacred. She was known for showing compassion to people in all walks of life. Precious to those she considered family. Kelly’s passing has been a devastating event for the many people who sent prayers and cards wishing her well.

Throughout her life, Kelly enjoyed many hobbies, including having campouts with friends and running the wooded back trails across North Carolina. She participated in and won many marathons and charity races, accompanied by friends and, on occasion, her two sons, Jordan and Noah. She was also an avid traveler whose passport was marked with stamps from over 12 European countries, South America, and the Middle East.

She moved to West Monroe in 2021 to be with her significant other, Derek Dumas. Here, Kelly worked as a home specialist for United Built Homes until 2024. She and Derek were fond of traveling to craft shows and concerts, cooking, walking nature trails, and spending time with friends and family.

She was preceded in death by her son, Brandon; and father, Douglas Hedgepeth.

Her surviving relatives include her loving sons, Jordan and Noah Ibrahim;  partner and companion, Derek Dumas; mother, Jane Hedgepeth; brother, Hannon (Priscilla) Hedgepeth; niece, Mallory; and extended family members and friends in North Carolina and Louisiana, who all mourn the loss of this phenomenal woman.

The family would like to thank the medical teams at St. Francis Medical Center, Ochsner LSU-S Cornerstone Hospital, and Glenwood Regional Medical Center for their care and support of Kelly through her long-term illness.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Organization for Autism Research, the Marine Conservation Society, or to a charity of their choice in Kelly’s honor.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, November 16, 2025, in the chapel of Mulhearn Funeral Home, West Monroe, from 2:00PM to 4:00PM.