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Kelly Kellams
PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. — Kelly Mason Kellams passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on April 30, 2024. He was 84 years old. He was born to the late Wallace and Mabel Hawkins Kellams on Sept. 18, 1939. He grew up in Boekerton, Missouri, and from an early age had a great love for farming and the outdoors.
On Nov. 4, 1959, at the St. Eustachius Catholic Church in Portageville, Kelly married his high school sweetheart, Loretta Scherer Kellams. They were blessed with seven children.
Affectionately known to those who loved him as “Poppa,” he lived a simple life with a strong Catholic faith, an unconditional love for his family and a passion for farming. He was an avid outdoors man. He had an impressive collection of arrow heads and marbles! He loved all types of hunting, especially ducks, but in his later years he enjoyed fishing! He was also known on occasion to enjoy a Little Debbie snack cake and a good sweet soda! His greatest joy was the time he spent with his grandchildren and great grandchildren! Poppa’s legacy of unconditional love, kindness and generosity will always be remembered.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Wallace and Mabel Kellams; his brothers, Harold Gene, Billy Wayne and Donald Ray Kellams; his sister, Helen Carol Tanner; and an infant brother and sister.
He leaves to mourn his passing, his wife of 64 years, Loretta; and his seven children: Melissa (Rex) Pullum, Kim Kellams Ivie, Angie Kellams, Steve (Lynn) Kellams, Michael (Renee) Kellams, Joey (Millie) Kellams and Amy (Chris) Stinnett, all who reside in Portageville; and his sister, Lee Ann Kellams. Poppa had 17 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and 4 more greats to add to his family this year! Sixty-seven immediate family members with four more on the way this year, what a blessing! Poppa had a wonderful life!
Visitation will be Thursday, May 2, 2024, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at DeLisle Funeral Home in Portageville. Rosary will begin at 8 p.m.
Services will be Friday, May 3, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Eustachius Catholic Church, 200 W. Fourth St., Portageville.
Interment will follow in the Portageville Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be his grandsons: Trey Ivie, Ted Ivie, Paul Davidson, Mason Kellams, Jon Garrett Kellams, Wyatt Stinnett, Will Stinnett and Justin Cline.
The family asked that donations be made in Poppa’s name to:
Mercy Health Foundation
Cancer Center
1849 Broadway
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
or
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
501 St. Jude Place
Memphis, TN 38105