Kelli Lynne Roberts

Today we celebrate the life of our beloved Kelly Roberts—a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a partner, and a friend whose kindness, humor, and resilience left an unforgettable mark on everyone she met. Though our hearts are heavy with loss, we take comfort in the beautiful memories she gave us and the love she shared so freely.

Kelly was born on May 25, 1963, in Holden, Missouri, the youngest of six children born to Jerry Ashley Roberts and Mary Jane Roberts. From the start, she was a light in their lives—a happy, beautiful child whose laughter filled every room she entered. Among her siblings, she was affectionately known as Keetum. She grew up to be an intelligent, well-read, and incredibly witty woman, even though she never attended college. Her wisdom wasn’t confined to books; it was in the way she understood people, how she could make you smile on your worst days, and how she always found joy in the simple things.

She graduated from Hickman Mills High School in 1981, and while life presented her with many challenges, Kelly met them with unwavering strength and grace. Diagnosed with myotonic dystrophy in her early twenties, she refused to let it define her. She continued playing softball, riding her beloved horse, Haley, and embracing life with a determination that inspired us all. Even when faced with a battle against lung cancer in recent years, she carried herself with courage, never allowing illness to steal her spirit.

Kelly had a heart full of passion—especially for her Kansas City Chiefs. Game days were sacred, and nothing could rival the joy she felt when her team took the field. She was also a devoted animal lover, a kind soul who found comfort and companionship in the creatures she adored. And when it came to travel, the ocean called to her—beach destinations were her sanctuary, a place where she could let go and embrace the beauty of the world.

But beyond all her personal joys and pursuits, Kelly’s greatest happiness came in the love she found with Robert Taylor. Fate brought them together, and from that moment on, they built a life filled with love, laughter, and unwavering devotion. Robert not only loved Kelly deeply, but he also cared for her with an unmatched kindness, standing by her side through every challenge. She became a cherished part of his family, forming a deep bond with his children, Sarah Taylor and her husband, Josh. And in little Jaxon, she found the greatest joy—he called her "Meemaw," a name she carried with pride and love.

Kelly is survived by her devoted siblings: her brother Charles Roberts, his wife Sherri, and their sons Shawn and Brandon; her sister Jean Russell and her husband Tyler; and her sister Katy Birchfield, her husband Mike, and their son Allen. Allen’s wife, Genia, and their daughter, Bailey, as well as her beloved nieces, Jessica Roberts and Jane Alana. Though she was preceded in death by her father, mother, and her brothers David and Jack, we can take solace in knowing that they are now reunited, embracing her once again in Family time.

Today, we mourn, but we also celebrate. Kelly was a bright light in all of our lives, and though that light may no longer shine in the way we wish, it has not gone out. It lives on in every laugh we share when we remember her jokes, in every moment of kindness we show to one another, and in every Chiefs game we watch with the same passion she did. She is with us in spirit, in love, and in the memories we will carry forever.

Rest peacefully, dear Kelly. You are now free from pain, soaring with the angels, probably sitting on a beach with a gentle breeze in your hair, or maybe even watching a Chiefs game from the best seat in the house. We love you, we miss you, and we will hold you in our hearts always.