Kelly Neely

Kelly Ann Neely, 53, was born on August 27, 1973, in Louisville, Kentucky. She passed away peacefully on the morning of September 24, 2026, surrounded by her loved ones.

Kelly was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Ronald and Carole Simpson.

She leaves behind a family who loved her deeply and whose lives were forever changed by her love. She is survived by her husband, Tony Neely, and her mother-in-law, Deborah Spromberg; her siblings, Christine Minnick, Kimberly Park, and Johnathan Simpson; and her children, Dearan and Taylor Lee, Dominic and Ciara Lee, Deanna Shipman, Michael and Melody Neely, Alexis and Micah Stanley, Zachary and Gabby Appleby, Charley and Kelcie VanCamp, and Daymian Lee.

Kelly was a beloved grandmother to Jason, Annabelle, Harper, Emilia, Grant, Levi, Aurora, Deacon, and Winnifred. Her family was the center of her world, and the love she poured into each of them will remain one of her greatest and most lasting legacies.

To know Kelly was to know a woman who gave her whole heart to the people she loved.

Kelly will be remembered for the way she loved her family—selflessly, completely, and without ever asking for anything in return.

She was a devoted and loving wife, and the life she shared with Tony was one of the greatest parts of her story. Their marriage was built on love, companionship, laughter, and the countless little moments that make a life together meaningful. They even had their own friendly competition, especially during football season. Kelly proudly cheered for Tennessee, while Tony remained faithful to Alabama. Their playful rivalry became one of those familiar parts of their life together that brought smiles to the people around them. Beneath the teasing was a deep love and partnership that carried them through all of life’s seasons. Kelly stood beside Tony through the joys and challenges of life—loving him wholeheartedly. They may never have agreed on which team was best, but they never needed to question what mattered most: their love for each other and their family.

As a mother, Kelly had a way of making her children feel cared for, heard, and loved, no matter what life brought their way. She gave freely of her time, her patience, her strength, and her heart. When someone she loved needed her, she was there—without hesitation and without expecting anything in return. She made her children feel safe knowing they always had someone in their corner.

As a grandmother, that love only grew. Her grandchildren were among the greatest joys of her life, and she cherished every moment she had with them. She celebrated their accomplishments, comforted them when they were hurting, listened when they needed her, and loved them endlessly. She had a gift for making each person in her family feel special, valued, and deeply loved.

Kelly’s selflessness was woven into everything she did. She gave without keeping score, forgave without hesitation, and loved without conditions. Her kindness was quiet and genuine. She did not need recognition for the things she did for others; caring for the people she loved was simply who she was.

That is the legacy Kelly leaves behind. It lives on in her family—in the kindness they show, the love they give, and the way they care for one another. Every time they put someone else’s needs before their own, offer comfort to someone who is hurting, or love someone without expecting anything in return, a piece of Kelly lives on.

She spent her life taking care of the people she loved. Now, it is our turn to carry her love with us.

There are no words that can truly express how deeply Kelly will be missed. She was more than a mother and grandmother. She was a source of comfort, a patient listener, a steady presence, and someone who made life feel a little easier simply by being there. She loved with her whole heart and gave more of herself than she ever asked of anyone else.

Our hearts are broken because we have to say goodbye to someone who meant so much to so many. But even in the darkness of losing her, we hold tightly to the promise that she did not walk through that darkness alone.

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me.”— Psalm 23:4

We find peace knowing that the woman who spent her life caring for everyone else is now in the care of her Lord. We imagine her finally at peace, free from pain and surrounded by the love of God.

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying.”— Revelation 21:4

We will miss her voice, her patience, her hugs, her laughter, and all the little things that made her who she was. We will miss having one more phone call to make, one more story to tell, and one more hug to give. Most of all, we will miss the comfort of knowing she was there.

Her life was a gift, and being loved by her was one of the greatest gifts of all.

Though we cannot hold her in our arms anymore, we will carry her with us—in the way we love our families, in the kindness we show others, in the memories we share, and in every piece of her that she left behind in us.

Until we meet again—Mom, Wife, Grammy. You were loved more than words could ever say, and you will be missed more than words could ever express.