Cecil Dewayne Kelley
December 22, 1928 - August 27, 2026

Cecil Dewayne Kelley, age 97 of Monticello, Arkansas was born December 22, 1928, in Fountain Hill, Arkansas to Francis Tilman Kelley and Eula Mae Scott Kelley. After living nearly an entire century, Dewayne entered into his eternal rest on August 27, 2026, at Belle View Estates surrounded by his beloved family.

Dewayne was truly an amazing man with a huge heart for people. He was energetic and loved meeting new folks. He could strike up a conversation with a stranger and loved learning their stories. Over the course of his life Dewayne wore more hats and lived more adventures than most people could fit into several lifetimes. He served in the Air Force, worked for NASA, was a store manager of several businesses including Wal~Mart, West Brothers and Wang's International. He also owned Circle-K-Barbeque restaurant, multiple fashion shops, and a snow cone stand which he really enjoyed. He loved to set up booths at flea markets and craft fairs with his family.

Dewayne owned an apartment complex that still bears the family name, Kelley's Apartments in Tallulah, Louisiana. He also served Tallulah as a sheriff deputy for many years. Of all the chapters of his working life, one he was especially proud of was his time in St. Louis, Missouri, where he worked as a final inspector on a F-101 Voodoo and B-36, for McDonnell Aircraft. He also loved to fly planes with his friend and cut up while doing so.

For a time, Dewayne and his wife Julie owned Country Corner, a fashion and floral shop in Monticello, Arkansas. Later, he became a wholesaler and was affectionately known as ''The Purse Man" throughout the area. He spent countless hours on the road selling merchandise, visiting customers and making friends along the way. He was always on the go!

Dewayne loved telling stories about his life. His family heard countless tales from years gone by, many of which revealed that his mischievous streak began at a very young age. He would tell of pranks he played on teachers, friends, and all the trouble he managed to find even though it was all done in good fun. He was, as his family described him, ''The Real Dennis the Menace". Those stories brought laughter through the years and became treasured pieces of the life and personality that made Dewayne so unforgettable.

His hobbies included mowing his yard, keeping a garden, riding a bicycle (even sitting backwards on the seat sometimes) all the way into his 80s, and he loved to drive up into the mountains and go sightseeing. He also liked golf, fishing, and hunting in his younger years. He loved to sing and "cut a rug". Dewayne loved to go to his grandkids events and cheer them on. Even when he could no longer attend, he watched their videos and visited with them about their accomplishments. He was a big Billie's and Weevil's fan. He supported the community in many ways over the 34 years he lived in Monticello.

In addition to his parents, Dewayne is preceded in death by two daughters, Mary James and Martha Crowder; son-in-law, Richard Crowder; grandson, Ronnie Williamson; nephew, Marion Kelley, Sr.; brothers, Leland Kelley and Hurshel Kelley; sister-in-law, Anna Ruth Kelley; and brother-in-law, Norman Higginbotham.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 37 years, Julie Shannon Kelley; eight children, Stephanie Baptiste and husband Jeremy of Monticello, AR, Greg Kelley and wife Maria of California, Sheila Elmore of Texas, Susan Pounders and husband James of Texas, Cecil Dewayne Kelley Jr. of Texas, Pat Calhoun of Texas, Lannie Kelley of Little Rock, AR, and Marilyn Kay Patterson of Pine Bluff, AR; one son-in-law, David James; twenty-nine grandchildren, Gavin, Garrin, Gabriel, Graiden, Jett, Avalyn, Whitney and daughter Azra Jo, Alyssa, Gage, Mischa, Vicky, Dana, Tammy, Wade, Ronnie Jr., Candelaria, Robert, Liza, Johnny, Terri, Katelin, Jimmy Don, Walter, Brandy, Amy, Jenna, Michelle, Christie, and James; sister, Merlyn Higginbotham; nieces and nephews, Tina Jacks and husband Steve, Kevin Higginbotham and wife Sonja, and Scott Kelley; multiple great-grandchildren and great-nieces/nephews; as well as his beloved cat, Korey.

Dewayne was a child of Christ and was deeply loved by his family, friends, customers, and so many throughout the community. His friendly smile, unmistakable laugh, and ability to make people feel as though he had known them will not be forgotten. Dewayne did not simply pass through this world; he left his mark on it.

Visitation will be Wednesday, September 2, 2026, from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Thursday, September 3, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. in the Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Chapel with Bro. Tim Parke officiating. Burial will follow in Oakland Cemetery in Monticello. Active pallbearers will be Jeremy Baptiste, Jett Baptiste, Gavin Kelley, Garrin Gray, Gabriel Gray, and Graiden Gray. Honorary pallbearer will be Avalyn Baptiste.

A special thank you from the Family to the nurses and staff at Belle View Estates and Hospice Home Care for helping care for him during his final days.