Cornelia “Corky” Powell Kelly, age 97, of Brownwood, passed away on February 19, 2023, at The Chatfield Assisted Living. Arrangements are pending with Heartland Funeral Home of Brownwood.

She was born Cornelia Powell on June 10, 1925, in Shelbyville, IN to Ralph and Margaret Powell.  She graduated from Valparaiso High School and attended Purdue University.  Cornelia married Fred Baker Kelly on November 29, 1945, in Chicago, Illinois. Through the years they spent most of their time in Dickinson and Devils Lake, ND; Duluth, MN; and finally, Brownwood, Texas. They had been married for 52 years.  She was generous with her time in church and many civic activities, and with her children’s and grandchildren’s school activities and organizations.

Cornelia was fiercely independent and led an active life gardening, reading, sewing, knitting, crocheting, quilting, and gathering family ancestry.  She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother and special to all that knew her.  She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

She is survived by her children, Dr. Stephen Kelly and wife Sandi of Brownwood, Rebecca Kelly and husband Dan Taylor of Omak, WA, and Fred Kelly, Jr. and wife Jodie of Brownwood; brother, John Powell and wife Norma of Indianapolis, IN; sister-in-law Marni Powell of Edina, MN; and 7 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred Kelly; son, Douglas Milton Kelly; parents, Ralph and Margaret Powell; and brother, Ralph Powell.

The family would like to express special thanks to the staff at The Chatfield Assisted Living, Solaris Hospice, and Hill Country Home Care for their loving and passionate care.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to the Central Texas Veterans Memorial, in care of Citizens National Bank, Box 1629, Brownwood, TX 76804, or the charity of your choice.

Online condolences can be made to the family at heartlandfuneralhome.net