Judith Kay Kelso

Judith “Judy” Fisher Kelso was born December 14, 1943, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, one of five children born to Nellie Irene Scott and Joseph Fisher. She met the love of her life, Jerry Lee Kelso, as he played football in the street. They married in 1963 and raised three children: Jerry Lee Kelso Jr. (Maci), Bryan Todd Kelso (Kim), and Kimberly Irene Kelso delaPena (Cal). They remained married until Jerry’s passing in 2012.

Mom loved to travel. Throughout their marriage, Dad was the steam in the engine, and Mom happily followed wherever the road led. They spent decades traveling together, visiting nearly every corner of the United States, including Alaska and Canada, along with countless trips to the lake where they loved watching their kids and grandkids behind the boat or playing in the shallows.

Judy was a homemaker devoted to her family. She was a gifted seamstress, creating everything from cheerful yellow Swiss dot kitchen curtains to handmade clothing and tiny Barbie dresses from that same dotted fabric. When her vision eventually made sewing impossible, she wadded up her last project, tossed it in the trash, and turned her full attention to her plants and yard.

Many years later, Jerry, Todd, and Kim welcomed a fourth sibling into their lives, a small dachshund named Charlie who had been rescued after being dumped from a moving car. Charlie quickly became more than a dog; he was family. All the kids and grandkids took their turns chasing him down the street as he made his great escapes. He was always welcomed back with a waiting taco because Mom always shared with him. Charlie will live with Todd, where he will continue to get an occasional taco and now has chickens to chase when he’s feeling spry.

Judy was a fighter. Like her mother before her, she battled progressive vision loss for more than two decades and faced three brave fights against breast cancer. The final battle was the one that carried her home. Our family finds comfort knowing she is renewed in Heaven and reunited with our dad. Her legacy lives on in the hands that sew, the gardens that bloom, and the family get-togethers where tacos are shared.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Nellie and Joe Fisher; her husband, Jerry; her siblings Joanne, Hazel, Bill, and Linda; and her niece Wendy.

She was the proud grandmother of Tyler Kelso; Sloane Kelso (Stephen); Sidney Kelso (Joe); Colten Kelso (Danielle); Conner Kelso (Gracie); Tanner Layman; Matthew delaPena (Jade); Jaysun delaPena; Ryan delaPena; and Joyce delaPena; and great-grandmother to three, Hudson, Holden, and Hallie, with one more eagerly anticipated.

The family will receive friends for visitation Sunday, March 1, 2026 from 6:00-8:00 PM at Ellis Funeral Home. Graveside services will be held Monday, March 2nd at 3:00 PM at Resthaven Memorial Park North Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Senior Life Midland. The family wishes to thank the volunteer route drivers for their daily kindness, for the stories Mom was able to share with us about their visits, and for the taco chew toy for Charlie. The family also extends heartfelt gratitude to Hospice of Midland, especially Nurse Lisa, for their compassionate care.