Ida Mae Kell

Ida Mae Melton Kell was born in Turkey, Tx on July 29, 1927 to Argie L. and Selma Deen McKay. She went to school in the community of Buffalo Flat before going to high school in Turkey, Tx. She was the 4th child out of 10 all born on a farm near Turkey. Ida was baptized at the age of 13. She loved all churches all her life. As a kid she remembered going to revivals as a family. Growing up on the farm gave Ida lots of experience of many chores. During her lifetime she saw many changes from mule drawn wagons to model T cars to the technology we have today. She was a hard worker and learned to cook and sew at a very young age while helping her Mom.

Getting married at 20 years old, she had 1 son Dewayne Kell who’s father, Raymond Joe Kell was killed in a car accident when Dewayne was 3 years old. She then met and married E.T. “Gene” Melton November 26, 1956. They had 3 children Sara, Gene, and Rodney. Gene passed away in 1972 and Ida became mother and father to her 3 children. She was a stay at home mom while babysitting and being a seamstress to help with additional income. She then started working part time at Wackers in Electra. Ida was an excellent cook, and her kids friends all loved her chocolate gravy! There were always kids playing at Mrs. Meltons house! Ida loved her kids and lived her life for them always.

When her children grew up, Ida married Kenneth Kell and moved to Canadian, Tx. They had no children together. They moved back to Electra after Kenneth retired. After his death in 2010 she became a member of the Electra Hospital Auxiliary until she became unable to participate any longer.

Ida is survived by 1 sister Ann McKay of Vernon. Daughter Sara & husband John of Merkel, Son Rodney & Wife Stephanie of Electra. She has a host of beautiful grandchildren and great grandchildren whom she loved and was so proud of. She had many nieces and nephews that she loved and some very dear friends and very special nurses.

She was preceded in Death by her parents, 3 husbands, sons Gene Melton and Dewayne Kell, daughter Georgia Ann Wells, stepsons Richard and Bobby Kell. Siblings Mary Belle, Elmer, Jim, Laverne, Leebo, Robert, Janette, and Ellen

A funeral service will be held at the First Baptist Church, located at 406 W Garrison Ave, Electra, TX 76360, on December 4, 2025, starting at 2:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to Electra Cemetery Association or Electra Meals on Wheels or a charity of your choice.