Melanie Ann Kelly

Melanie Ann Kelly of Pleasant Hope, MO, passed away Saturday, September 6, 2025, at Springfield Rehabilitation and Healthcare. She passed peacefully with family by her side.
Born Melanie Ann Strong on February 6,1982, she was the first-born child to Alan Strong and the late Tammy S. Johnston.
Melanie grew up in Fair Grove, Springfield and Tin Town but always called Pleasant Hope her home and graduated from Pleasant Hope High School in May 2000. She later went on to complete two years at Ozarks Technical Community College.
Melanie and her brother spent a lot of time in their childhood with their Grandma and Grandpa Strong, going to church with them on Sunday's and it was at the age of 12 when Melanie was baptized at Parkview Christian Church in Springfield, MO. Growing up Melanie was also involved in softball and was a proud member of the, Pleasant Hope Junior High Marching Band and the Hillcrest High School Highlander Drum and Bugle Corps.
In 2017, Melanie was diagnosed with Anaplastic Astrocytoma Grade 3 Brain Cancer. She began her rounds of treatment and after a year she rang the bell to signify her remission. She was a fighter who never gave up. The life expectancy is 2-3 years, and Melanie outlived that proudly.
Melanie absolutely loved her family, but her favorite role was being a mother to her two amazing kids, and an aunt to her three nephews. She was strong, giving, sassy, spunky and a whole lot of stubborn. She was never afraid to speak her mind and if she picked on you then she loved you. Those who knew her knew her love for her classic Mustang, Melvin. She loved Offspring and went to every concert they had in the area growing up. She loved Jimi Hendrix and that hippie vibe and she was Jack Skellington's number 1 fan with Nightmare Before Christmas being one of her favorite movies and Halloween, her favorite holiday. Melanie played many roles in her life. She was a precious daughter, sweet granddaughter, her only aunt's favorite niece, to which Melanie would tell her "I am your only niece". She was a big sister, a fun cousin, a favorite aunt, a loving mother, a loyal friend and now our Angel in Heaven.
Melanie is survived by her daughter, Kaylen Kelly and son, Maddox Kelly of Springfield, her father, Alan Strong and stepmother Michelle of Strafford, her three brothers, Jeff Strong and wife Nicole of Fair Grove, and their three sons Gavin, Garrett and Grant; and Zane Ferguson and Kevin Strong, both of Springfield; two uncles, Jerry Strong and wife Mary of St. Roberts, and Joe Strong and wife Ginger, of Springfield; her aunt Loretta Kilts of Arkadelphia, AR and her grandmother, Elvena Johnston of Rogersville. Melanie also leaves behind her cousins, Jennifer Drake (Nathan Hooper) of Rogersville, Stephanie Winegardner (Brian) of Arkadelphia, AR, Christopher Kilts (Carolyn) of Cassville, and Tiffanie Rutherford (Rusty) of Arkadelphia, AR. Along with many extended family members, friends and her two lifelong friends, Lendy (McGowan) Renner and Shannon (Watson) Deckard, whom Melanie thought of as sisters.
Melanie was proceeded in death by her mother Tammy S. Johnston of Pleasant Hope, her grandparents Homer and Beulah Strong of Colorado, her grandfather, Monroe Johnston of Pleasant Hope, her uncle James Kilts of Arkadelphia, AR and her cat, Booger.
Melanie made the decision to donate her body to ScienceCare so more research can be done to help those with the same brain tumor as hers.
A Memorial Service will be held to honor our sweet Melanie on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at Community Southern Baptist Church, 4686 State Hwy CC, Fair Grove, MO. Visitation will be at 5pm with Services starting at 6pm with a candlelight vigil to conclude the service.
Every year on Melanie's birthday she would post a donation on her Facebook page to help research for Parkinson Disease, in honor of her Grandpa Homer who suffered from the illness. In lieu of flowers, we want to continue Melanie's mission to help those with Parkinson's and have included a website so you can donate in Melanie's honor. https://www.michaeljfox.org/.