Linda Kelly

Linda Edwards Kelly, age 79, after a long and courageous battle with illness passed away peacefully in her sleep Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at her home in Tomball, Texas.

Linda was born in Sinton, Texas on September 21, 1946, to Luther Fred and Clarice Johnson Edwards. Linda has often stated, without exaggeration, that she has attended church all her life. Her mother worked as the church secretary at the First Baptist Church of Sinton, and Linda, not yet old enough to attend school, accompanied her to work every day. And, of course, she attended Sunday School and Church on Sunday. This early relationship with the church resulted in Linda trusting the Lord Jesus Christ as her savior at an early age.

During her childhood years the family moved to Erwin, Tennessee, and then to Detroit Michigan, where Fred was employed at the Lincoln automobile factory. They then moved to Driscoll, Texas, where Fred worked in the oil patch and Clarice worked for automobile dealerships in Robstown and Kingsville. Linda attended elementary and junior high school in Driscoll and high school in Bishop, graduating in the class of 1964.

In 1964, she met and began dating a farm boy from Agua Dulce, Carroll Kelly. They both attended college at Texas College of Arts and Industries, now named Texas A&M University-Kingsville. They were married on August 6th, 1966, at the Agua Dulce Baptist church. In 1968 they moved to Corpus Christi, where they raised two daughters. Carroll worked in higher education at Del Mar College and Linda worked as a secretary at First State Bank and Gulfway Bank.

After a few years she entered the early childhood education field, teaching and later directing several early childhood daycare centers. These schools included Parkway Presbyterian Day Care Center, First Methodist Church Day Care, Travis Baptist School, and the YWCA Infant center. She then served as Day School Director at Neighborhood Centers and Dos Mundos Infant and Toddlers Day Care Center.

She always referred to her role as a curriculum writer for the Weekday Early Education ministry of the Southern Baptist Convention as her greatest achievement.

After their daughters finished high school, she and Carroll moved back to the family farm at Agua Dulce. Carroll began working at Texas A&M University-Kingsville as an accountant and purchaser. Linda dedicated much time and devotion to the children's Sunday School program at Agua Dulce Baptist Church. In 2024, she and Carroll moved to Tomball to be closer to their children.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Harlan and Juanita Kelly and her special uncle, Theodore Edwards. She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Carroll Kelly of Tomball, daughters, Vickie (Bryan) Haynie of Agua Dulce, and Joy (Jessie) Brown of Tomball. Also surviving are her brother, Jim (Cheryl) Edwards of Zapata and sister Jill (Bill) Baxter of Ricardo. She is also survived by her grandchildren Taylor (Jacob) Evans, Sarah Haynie, Audrey Brown, Kelly Brown, Zachary Brown, Cody Peck, Kyle (Katherine) Peck, and great-grandson Harlan Peck. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

The family also extends gratitude to Dr. Robert Morales of Kingsville, Dr Michael Casagrande of Tomball and the staff of Amedisys Hospice for their compassionate and reassuring care during her last few years.

Viewing will be held at Oak Park Memorial Funeral Chapel located at 4599 US 181 Business in Beeville, Texas on Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 12:30 P.M. until 1:30 P.M, with Funeral services to follow immediately in the chapel of Oak Park Memorial Funeral Chapel.

The funeral services will be officiated by Reverend Clif Abshier.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Samaritan's Purse, Operation Christmas Child, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607.

Funeral services will be entrusted to Oak Park Memorial Funeral Chapel, 4599 US 181 Business, Beeville Texas 78102.