Ozella Marie Kelley

She was born on July 14th, 1959 to Ella and Johnny Straughter in Gary, Indiana.

Ozella was a long-time resident of Gary, Indiana until she moved to Houston, Tx in 1999 and eventually Katy, Tx in 2018.

Ozella is a graduate from Lew Wallace High school C/O of 1977. After high school graduation, Ozella became a bank teller for several years at the Gary National Bank, worked in Chicago as a leasing agent, then returned to Lew Wallace becoming a long-term substitute and cheer coach.

While in Gary, Indiana, Ozella was proud of being a licensed minister and foster parent. She cared for several children in her home, a few of whom she remained in contact with.

Ozella moved to Houston in 1999 where she secured a job with Imperial Sugar in the accounts payable department. Soon after, she secured a job with Spring Branch ISD as a substitute. After a while, Ozella was fortunate to broaden her career and enter in the field of oil and gas securing a job with Shell Oil as a benefits specialist.

While working for Shell, Ozella graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Management from the University of Phoenix in 2009. She then obtained a job with BP where she worked for 11 years and was affectionately called “Mama O” by her BP children. Ozella attended The Lighthouse Church West with her oldest grandson Emory.

Ozella enjoyed card parties where any and everyone was open to “getting whooped”. Fish fry’s, hosting family gatherings, and mostly just spending time with family were her favorite things. Ozella loved traveling to Las Vegas with her husband Kevin, which became a special place for them, and where they got married in 1999. What brought Ozella the most joy was being a loving wife to her husband Kevin, a mother to her dear daughter Victoria, a baby sister to her big sister Amanda, a special auntie to her “nephew sons” Monte’ II and Johnathan, and one of her most favorite titles, Grandma to Emory and Lennox. Ozella is most notably known for never meeting a stranger and being a beacon of light to all those she encountered.

Ozella is preceded in death by her mother Ella Straughter, father Johnny Straughter, and Godmother Cleo Holder. She leaves behind her loving husband of 23 years, Kevin Kelley of Katy, Tx, her daughter Victoria Marie Skeete (Aaron Skeete), her sister Amanda Eskridge (Jimmy Eskridge), her two grandchildren Emory and Lennox Skeete, nephews Monte’ II (Cristina Williams) and Johnathan Williams, Cousin Regina Dean, brother in her heart George Johnson, former spouse and special friend Thomas Cusic, Goddaughter Janese Olonade (Jonathan Olonade), Godsisters Lynette and Linda, her best friends Anna Harris and Enez Hardin-Grice along with a host of many other family and friends who love her.