Linda Kelley

LONGSTREET COMMUNITY…Mrs. Linda Downs Kelley, a resident of the Longstreet Community, near Ozark, died early Tuesday evening, August 30, 2022, in a Dothan hospital following an extended illness. Linda was surrounded by her children, her sisters, and friends.  She was 66 years of age.

Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Friday, September 2, 2022, in the Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Jim Hill officiating. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. Thursday at the funeral home.

Mrs. Kelley, daughter of the late Joseph Druddy Downs and Mary Gladys Tharpe Downs, was a native and lifelong resident of the Longstreet Community, near Ozark. She was a 1974 Graduate of Ariton High School and attended Wallace Community College. Mrs. Kelley was retired from Southeast Alabama Medical Center (now Southeast Health) in Dothan as a systems analyst. She enjoyed fishing, cruising the seas, vacations, and the beach. Mrs. Kelley was the happiest when she was with her children, her sisters, and family. She enjoyed baking and making candies during the holidays for her family and friends. Mrs. Kelley was a lifelong member of Ebenezer Baptist Church.

Surviving relatives include her daughter, Jennifer Lee Wood (Scott Little), Louisville; her son, Jonathan Lee, Ozark; her doggy baby, Cooper Jean and grand dogs, Sophie and Sasha; grandson, Jeffrey Little, Louisville; two sisters, who shared a close bond, Brenda D. Hyatt and Theresa D. Moates (Bobby), all of Ozark; nieces and nephews, Brian Faust (Christy), Panama City Beach,  Florida, Krysten Faust (Tim), Ozark, Ben Moates (Amanda), Newton, Bradley Hyatt (Beth), Echo, Colby Moates (Hailey), Ozark, Katie Williams (Ryan), Dallas, Georgia, and Taylor Moates (Jessica), Ozark; three aunts, Dorothy Kelley, Huntsville, Christine Smith (Don), Clarksville, Tennessee, Sheila Tyree, Weaver, Alabama; her uncle,  Norman Tharpe (Maxine), Ozark; special friend, Jimmy Cook.

Serving as active pallbearers will be Brian Faust, Colby Moates, Taylor Moates, Dylan Pentecost, Jeffrey Little, and Frank Ingram.

The family would like to thank her longtime physician, Dr. Sai Avula, his staff, and the Critical Care Unit Team at Southeast Health for their loving care and kindness shown to Linda and her family during her illness. Linda lived life to the fullest, and Linda is now healed and enjoying her rewards in Heaven.