Deborah Sue Kelty

Deborah Sue Browneller was born to Betty and Raymond Browneller on July 7th, 1955. Deb was the older sister to Brothers Jerry and Terry and Sisters Bonnie, Sherri, Tammie, and Theresa. Deb attended Hilltop High School in West Unity, OH and later the family moved to Franktown, CO. She graduated from Douglas County High School in 1973. She married the love of her life, Rickey Kelty in 1975 and together they had three children, first son Troy who married Jamie Ramsour, their only daughter Marci who married Luke Jantz, and the youngest son Steven who married Gina Lomax. Deb and her son Steven moved to Sheridan, Wyoming in 1998 to the Schuette – Quinn Ranch and later she moved back to Franktown in 2003. Everyone who knew Deb knew she was a hard worker, she truly enjoyed her work with the Douglas County Schools where she became one of the “Bags”, and for Deb that was a term of endearment she loved and laughed about. Deb also cleaned homes for a select group of people that she grew to love and admire; they stuck with Deb while she continued to work throughout her Chemo treatments. During Deb treatments she had a huge influence on the other chemo patients and the staff, she was always upbeat and would give strength and encouragement to others who were scared and those just going through the motions. Deb rarely missed a day of work, her hands would be peeling and her nails were falling off, but she was determined to live life as best she could. Deb loved to travel, she visited Mexico, Alaska and Florida with her children, grandchildren and beloved friend Nancy. Deb was full of life and lived her life to the fullest, she also loved the country way of life.

Each of us have fond and loving memories of the special ways Deb made each of us feel with her wonderful sense of humor, her bigger then life smile, and her laugh that was contagious. Deb cared about others through her giving and support for family and friends. She was a friend and a confidant to many, a good listener, and always gave the best hugs. She’d give the kind of hugs that came from deep in her heart and soul that touched and consoled before she would let go; she would always make you feel better. I believe everyone here can only smile when one word is spoken about Deb, because this one word describes who she was. It conjures up so many different memories for so many different people. Deb was a “Giver”, She gave her love and strength to her children, grandchildren, friends, and co-workers and clients. She gave her support for the many activities her grandchildren participated in.

Deb was preceded in death by her Husband Rickey Kelty, Parents Betty and Raymond Browneller, infant Sister Theresa, and some very close and dear friends.

Deb loved being a Grandma. I asked each of her grand-kids to write a sentence on what Grandma meant to them:

I will share them with you now:

**I love her very much and she meant the world to me. We had a lot of memories I will hold in my heart forever, Dylan.

**Grandma meant so much to me. She loved us with all her heart and would do anything for us. I have so many good memories with grandma, but most of all I just enjoyed time we spent together. I will miss that the most. I love and miss you grandma, Chelsea.

**We had a lot of fun together; she filled my heart with joy. I love you Grandma forever and always, Morgan.

**I have so many memories but my favorite is going to Florida with her and all of our card games. You are the best grandma any grandkid could ask for, and I will always love you, Raelyn.

**My Grammy and me used to dig worms and go fishin. I remember in Florida, she took us to the alligators to feed them hot dogs, and we chased lizards. When I came to Colorado, me, Aubrey and Grammy played old maid together. She was really nice and helped me with my homework and reading. I love her really so much. I miss her and think about her lots. Ricky age 8.

**Grammy played with me. I love her old maid game and fishing game. Grammy always brushes my hairnets I love and miss her. I am really sad without her. Aubrey age 5.

**I love her, miss her and want to hold her hand. I loved playing games with grandma, Neveah.

--A PARABLE ON MOTHERHOOD--

The young mother set her foot on the path of life. “Is the way long?” she asked. And her Guide said: “Yes and the way is hard. And you will be old before you reach the end of it. But the end will be better than the beginning”.

But the young mother was happy, and she would not believe that anything could be better than these years. So she played with her children, and gathered flowers for them along the way, and bathed with them in the streams, and the sun shone on them, and life was good, and the young mother cried: “Nothing will ever be lovelier than this”.

Then night came, and storm, and the path was dark, and the children shook with fear and cold, and the mother drew them close and covered them with her mantle and the children said: “Oh, Mother, we are not afraid for you are near, and no harm can come.” And the mother said: “This is better than the brightest of days, for I have taught my children courage.”

And the morning came and there was a hill ahead, and the children climbed and grew weary, and the mother was weary, but at all times she said to the children: “A little patience and we are there.” So the children climbed, and when they reached the top, they said: We could not have done it without you, Mother.” And the mother, when she lay down that night, looked up at the stars and said: “This is a better day than the last, for my children have learned fortitude in the face of difficulty. Yesterday I gave them courage, Today I have given them strength.”

And the next day came strange clouds which darkened the earth – clouds of war and hate and evil, and the children groped and stumbled, and the mother said: “Look up! Lift your eyes to the light.” And the children looked and saw above the clouds an Everlasting Glory, and it guided them beyond the darkness. And that night the mother said: “This is the best day of all, for I have shown my children God.”

And the days went on, and the months and the years, and the mother grew old, and she was small and bent. But her children were strong and tall and walked with courage. And when the way was hard, they helped their mother; and when the way was rough they lifted her, for she was as light as a feather; and at last they came to a hill, and beyond the hill they could see a shinning road and golden gates flung wide. And the mother said: “I have reached the end of my journey. And now I know that the end is better than the beginning, for my children can walk alone, and their children after them.”

And the children said: “You will always walk with us, Mother, even when you have gone through the gates.”

And they stood and watched her as she went on alone, and the gates closed after her. And they said: “We cannot see her, but she is with us. A mother like ours is more than a memory. She is a living presence.”