Loretta Grace Kelly

Loretta Grace Kelly, 71, of Jonesboro died Sunday, July 3, 2011 at NEA Baptist Hospital. She moved to Jonesboro in 1975 from Annapolis, Maryland and was a member of the Southwest Church of Christ. She also attended Arkansas State University.

Loretta was the owner/operator of Loretta’s Catering To Your Needs and was the recipient of many awards and certificates for her catering excellence receiving the Best Caterer Award many times. She was also a member of the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce and was active in her community. Loretta was selected as NEA’s Business Woman of the Year. She was preceded in death by her parents, Zelmer and Alberta Grimsley; and a son, Bradley Kelly.

Survivors are one daughter, Katherine “Kathy” Cardwell and husband Boyd of Jonesboro; one son, David Lee Kelly and wife Nicole of Bay;; a granddaughter, Vivian Grace Cardwell; a step-granddaughter, Breanna Phillips and two lifelong friends, Bobbi Jo Chamoun and Carolyn Hightower.

A memorial service will be 11:00 AM Friday, July 8, 2011 at Southwest Church of Christ with Jimmy Adcox officiating and David Kelly as Eulogist. Honorary pallbearers are the Arbyrd Class of 1957 and the staff of Loretta’s Catering. There will be no public visitation and lasting memorials should be sent to, Loretta G. Kelly Memorial Scholarship Fund for Vivian Cardwell % Liberty Bank of Arkansas, 2901 Highland Drive, Jonesboro, Arkansas 72401 or Southwest Church of Christ, 1601 James Street, Jonesboro, Arkansas 72401 or the Women’s Crisis Center, 1103 Cobb Street, Jonesboro, Arkansas 72401.

There will be a celebration of life with family and friends 2:00 PM Saturday, July 9, 2011 at Loretta’s Catering. Family and friends are invited.