Wilma Jearlene "Kelly" Hippert

Wilma Jearlene “Kelly” Hippert left us for Heaven on September 2, 2015 while surrounded by her children at her bedside. Born September 24, 1932 in Brentwood, Arkansas, the striking beauty lived life to the fullest with a tremendous amount of pride and dignity. She was a remarkable soul. At age 17, she enlisted in the Air Force and served her country proudly during the Korean Conflict and charmed the radio audiences with her soulful voice. She later would pick up the microphone and delight new generations of karaoke fans as the crowd favorite. Kelly possessed an incredible work ethic, often working three jobs to raise her seven children on her own. She served her latter years in the security field and earned the Lieutenant post at Wells Fargo Security. Blessed with movie-star looks, Kelly lit up the room through every door she walked through. She was full of grace, strong-willed, always full of hope and a hero to those that knew her. She was and remains an inspiration to them. She was an artist, an animal lover, an avid gardener, a woman of dazzling style and a hilarious jokester but the role she embraced most was that of being a mom. She is survived by her children Deborah Grushcow, Craig Griffin, Greg Griffin, Dreena Stevenson, Patti Musgrove, Michael Griffin, and Sherry Castro; her brothers, Larry Underhill, Richard Underhill, and Ronnie Underhill; and sisters Betty Gordon, Carolyn Skiff and Donna Rumfield. In addition, she was blessed with thirteen grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. She will be dearly missed.