Evonnee J. Kelly

Evonnee J Kelly

Evonnee Joan Bacon was born on March 21, 1933 in Hastings, Nebraska to parents Leslie and Lulu Bacon. Evonnee was one of ten brother and sisters. She was a mother to her only child, Kimberly Lynn, born in May of 1956.

She is survived by: Daughter, Kimberly and son-in-law Michael Vincent
step grandson, Jason (Aspen) Vincent, and their son Lincoln Vincent,
step grandson, Christopher Sunshine) Vincent, and their son Connor and daughter Elise Vincent; brothers Gordon and Gary; sisters Gloria and Shirley. She is preceded in death by husband Edward in 2008.

Growing up in Hastings, Evonnee graduated from Hastings High in 1951. She went on to marry her high school sweetheart Jack Snyder in 1952 who was stationed in California, serving in the Navy. She moved to Coronado Island to be with Jack until he was discharged in 1953, at which time the couple moved to Denver, Colorado.

After graduation, Evonnee worked for an independent phone company in Hastings, NE and acquired the skills and experience to gain employment with Mountain Bell after moving to Denver. Starting as a cord board operator she was soon promoted into management, a rare accomplishment in those days.

As life goes, Evonnee was not exempt from quandaries of her own and after twenty years she and Jack parted ways. She later married Ray Williams with whom she spent many happy years pursuing their enjoyment of the outdoors, building a beautiful cabin in the Rockies.

At work she continued to gain respect from her co-workers and moved into middle management where she held titles and responsibilities previously reserved for her male counterparts. Evonnee successfully fulfilled these non-traditional duties until she retired from the Phone Company then known as US WEST in 1985. During this time she married Ed Kelly and several years after her retirement they moved to Green Valley, Arizona.

Evonnee was loved and admired by all that knew her and she loved all around her. She was charismatic, charming, and her presence cherished in social gatherings. While in Green Valley she volunteered her time in several ways but most enjoyed a committee that welcomed new residents to the neighborhood. Known by many as the "best dressed lady" in Green Valley she enjoyed the more than occasional shopping trip to scrutinize the latest fashions and contribute accordingly to the local economy.

Sadly, in 2000 Evonnee Kelly was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and by 2002 was moved to assisted living and then, in 2004, moved to Colorado to be closer to her daughter. Being the gracious woman that she was, her love and compassion for others never left as her health declined. Her caregivers were always complimentary and taken aback at her never ending smile and positive approach to life.