Dorothy Dot Louise Brown

Dorothy (Dot) Louise Kelly

With great sorrow and gratitude for her life, the Kelly, Johnston, and Helton families announce the passing of our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, sister, and friend. Dorothy Louise (Brown) Kelly was born in San Antonio, Texas on December 30, 1928, to Frank William Brown and Virginia Torrance Brown. Dorothy (Dot) moved as a young girl to Beeville, Texas, where she graduated from AC Jones High School in 1946. Never knowing a stranger, Dot had strong friendships, a full social schedule, and deep roots. Dot was raised with her brother Frank, sister Ginny, and had a close relationship with her mom, Virginia. Dot spent summers working at the family furniture store and spoke fondly of trips to the Texas coast.

After graduation, Dot gained employment at Chase Field Naval Air Base in Beeville, where she met Leroy Magill and they married in 1948. Together, they had a daughter, Kay.

In 1958, Dot married Bill Kelly and they shared two children together, Jo and Bill Jr. Together, they had the opportunity to take their joined family to live in Iran, Algeria, and finally settling in Prairie Grove, Arkansas. It was there they had the opportunity to purchase and operate the Rhea's Mill Farm until Bill's passing in 1999. At Rhea's Mill, Bill and Dot created countless happy memories by bringing together many friends and family for barbecues, weddings, and holidays. In Prairie Grove, Dot worked for Keeton Farms, the city offices, and the Jr. High School. She was a longtime member of the Prairie Grove Presbyterian Church, and later the United Methodist Church in Prairie Grove and also in Grove, Oklahoma.

After Dot's husband, Bill passed, she moved to town where she enjoyed spending time making her yard beautiful, decorating her home, volunteering at Life Ministries, and doting on her grandchildren. In 2012, Dot moved to Grove, Oklahoma, near her daughter, Kay, until settling back in Prairie Grove in 2020. Dot's grandchildren cherish the time spent with her watching Jeopardy, getting bites of chocolate, and good conversation.

In her 94 years, Dot taught her friends and family many things.... how to enjoy a fudgsicle in the pool, nothing is better than a homegrown tomato, you never have enough clothes, and how to cook for a crowd. Throughout her life, Dot's love of Mexican food, her heart for animals, gardening, helping those in need, shopping, and a great party, never wavered. Dot enjoyed time with family, friends, and occasionally caused mischief with her dear friend Mary Alice Storms. Those two had a weekly "Dancing with the Stars" date that couldn't be missed. Dot was always a force to be reckoned with and kept everyone on their toes. Her family will miss her laugh, love of people, and quick wit.

Dot was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Virginia Brown, her husband Bill, her brother Frank Jr., sister Edna Galperin, sister Ida Collins, and stepdaughter Linda Coatney.

Dot is survived by her daughter Kay Johnston (Mike), daughter Jo Helton (Mike), and son Bill Kelly Jr, all of Prairie Grove, and her sister Ginny Zweigle (Al) of Tulsa. Dot is survived by six grandchildren Angie Miles (Dave), Allison Woods (Jeremy), Kaylin Gabbard (Bryan), Gunner Kelly, Gabby Helton, and Anthony Helton. Dot is also survived by her cherished family member, Christine Kelly, six great grandchildren, Madie Miles, Jake Miles, Cale Woods, Hattie Woods, Merrick Woods and Elliston Gabbard, along with loving nieces and nephews

We will celebrate the life of Dot Kelly with a visitation on Friday, May 5th from 6:00-7:00 p.m. and a service on Saturday, May 6th at 10:00 a.m. both at Luginbuel Funeral Home, 115 N Neal St. Prairie Grove, Arkansas, 72753.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in her memory to Circle of Life Hospice or Friends of the Prairie Grove Pound.

Pallbearers will be Jake Miles, Gunner Kelly, David Miles, Jeremy Woods, Anthony Helton, and Bryan Gabbard.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Mike Helton, Mike Johnston, and Cale Woods.

Online guestbook: www.luginbuel.com