Kay Kelly, 73, of Portsmouth, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, August 24, 2025, surrounded by her beloved family at Southern Ohio Medical Center. She was born on September 12, 1951, in Portsmouth to the late George Patton and Ruth Evelyn Moore McKinley, Sr.
Kay attended Portsmouth City Schools, and she was a dedicated member of Living Faith Temple. A true matriarch of the community, Kay was a kind and compassionate woman with a heart to help others. She participated actively in church activities and assisted with the Grandparents Program at the 14th Street Community Center. She also contributed to efforts recognizing individuals who made contributions to the community. She was very proud that Portsmouth’s McKinley Pool was dedicated by the State of Ohio to Eugene, her late brother.
Kay retired as a corrections officer after 17 years at the former Ohio River Valley Juvenile Correctional Facility in Franklin Furnace. She had also worked in data entry and at Walmart in customer service when the store first opened in New Boston.
In 1976, she married Gary Lee Kelly, Sr. in Portsmouth, and the couple was blessed with three sons: Dr. Dominic (Kelly) McKinley of Greensboro, NC, Gary Lee Kelly, Jr. of Portsmouth, and Brian ‘Birdie’ (Shannon) Kelly of Lawrenceville, GA; and four grandchildren, Morgan McKinley, Dominic McKinley, MaryKay Kelly, and Brielle Kelly.
Her surviving family members also include two brothers, Dell McKinley of Tucson, AZ and Duane McKinley of Portsmouth; and four sisters, Rozanne Ferguson of Portsmouth, Irene McKinley of Hempstead, NY, Diane McKinley and Jodi McKinley, both of Columbus. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and their families, as well as many friends.
Preceding her in death were her parents; six brothers, Keith, Ronald, Donald, Eugene, Carlos and George, McKinley, Jr.; and four sisters, Shirley Moore, Priscilla Campbell, Katrina Jackson and Vicki McKinley.
Funeral services will be held at 11 A.M. on Friday, August 29, 2025, at Christ’s Community Church with Bishop Marcus Bendolph, Overseer David Malone and Minister Larry McGinnis officiating. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to services. Interment will be in Memorial Burial Park in Wheelersburg. Arrangements are under the direction of the Ralph F. Scott Funeral Home in Portsmouth.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Children’s Research Hospital (Stjude.org).
