Peggy Dean Kelley

PEGGY DEAN KELLEY

Cedar Rapids

Peggy Dean Kelley, 91, of Cedar Rapids, died Monday, July 23, 2018, at Mercy Hallmar in Cedar Rapids.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Friday, July 27, 2018, at Immanuel Baptist Church, officiated by the Rev. Dan Wiersema. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be held at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.

Peggy was born in Baptist Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., on May 27, 1927. Her parents were Cornelia (Neeley) and William Dean Gassaway. She graduated from Humes High School in Memphis, Tenn. (before Elvis). She was employed by Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. She married Dan Kelley at the Alameda Naval Air Station Chapel in Alameda, Calif., on June 26, 1953.

She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Dan; two daughters, Julie Ann Brantley (Mike) and Terri Lynn Lester (Scott); six grandchildren, Kari Hughes (Evan), Kelli Purdin (Travis), Taylor Brantley (Kendall), Daniel Lester (Desiree), Andrew Lester and Erin Lester; five great-grandchildren, Jack, Ki, Claire, Alyssa and Kinley; one sister, Alice Flores of Santa Ana, Calif.; and several nieces and nephews.

Peggy was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Martha Brown (Waldo) and Dorothy Carter (Harry); and one brother, Dean Gassaway.

Peggy was a well-trained and committed teacher in the 3- and 4-year-old Sunday school class for over 50 years. She also loved to travel and visited more than 30 countries, 10 of 12 Canadian provinces and all 50 U.S. states. The whole family enjoyed a tradition of one week on the beaches of St. George Island in Florida for many years. It started with about seven family members, but grew over the years to as many as 20. She also was an avid collector of figurines.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Immanuel Baptist Church, 1900 F Ave. NW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405.

Thoughts, memories and condolences may be left to the Kelley family by visiting www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.