She was born in Lena, Mississippi, on June 16, 1936, the daughter of Mr. A. J. Weaver and Mrs. Rosie K. Rasberry Weaver.
Mary Ruth will be remembered as a beloved presence—gentle in spirit, kind-hearted in word and deed, and thoughtful in the ways that mattered most. Her compassion was steady and sincere, expressed through a devoted life of caring for her home and family, and through the quiet strength of a hard-working heart. Faith was a guiding light throughout her years, and her faithful example offered comfort and inspiration to those who knew and loved her.
She found joy in simple, enduring pleasures: bird watching, taking a leisure walk in the outdoors, keeping house, and tending to the beauty she loved in flowers. Above all, Mary Ruth treasured time spent with family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whose lives were brightened by her attentive love. She also delighted in familiar comforts—none more so than sharing a good meal of catfish.
Mary Ruth is preceded in death by her parents, sons, Michael Kelly and Mark Kelly; daughters, Billie Ruth Beatty and Kathy McNair; and sisters, Carrie Torrence, Barbara Walker, and Virginia Kyzar; and brother, Oneal Weaver.
Those left to cherish her memory are her sons, Gerald Wayne Kelly (Kathy) and Robert D. Kelly (Judy Faye); brother, George Weaver (Gracie); sister, Sarah Wilson. She also leaves behind the light of her world her 16 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, and 6 great-great grandchildren.
Visitation will be held at Baldwin-Lee Funeral Home in Pearl, Mississippi, on July 2, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, July 3, 2026, at 10:00am at the funeral home. Interment will take place at Galilee Baptist Church Cemetery in Mendenhall, Mississippi, following the service.
Pallbearers will be Butch Mauldin, Shannon Mauldin, Waylon Sebren, Wyatt Sebren, Grayson Swain, and Beau Swain. Honorary pallbearer will be Daniel Kelly.
