Sharon Ranelle Kelley

Sharon Ranelle Smothermon Kelley, 81, passed away on March 23, 2026, in Abilene, TX. Visitation will be at 11 a.m. with funeral services following at 12 p.m. on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at Hamil Family Funeral Home with John Whitten of Pioneer Drive Baptist Church officiating. Burial will follow at a later date. Services are under the direction of Hamil Family Funeral Home. Sharon held a deep appreciation for how small things add beauty to the world. She loved florals, color, and glitter.

In her honor, the family asks that guests wear pretty and colorful attire.

Born to Harold and Maxine Molloy on September 3, 1944, Sharon spent her infancy in Taft, CA, before moving to Spokane, WA. After elementary school, she and her sister Lynda moved to Childress, TX, to live with their Uncle Don Ray and Aunt Betty. Sharon married her high school sweetheart, William (Bill) Smothermon on November 26, 1963. She then graduated from cosmetology school and worked as a beautician in Childress. Bill and Sharon had two boys, William (Dean) and Kevin. Tragically, Sharon lost Bill on July 4, 1980.

Sharon and the boys continued to live in Childress, with Sharon then working as the secretary at First Baptist until Kevin moved to Lubbock, TX, for college. Sharon moved to Lubbock, too, where she became the Count Room Supervisor at the Montford Prison Unit until 2000. On January 13, 2001, Sharon married Ray Kelley. They made their home in Midland, TX, working together at Kelley Carpets. In 2010, the pair moved to Abilene, TX, to be near family.

Aside from her faith in Jesus, family meant the most to Sharon. She treasured being a mother and a wife and enjoyed spending time extended family. Though she loved all her roles, Sharon felt she’d found her life’s purpose when she became Nana in 2007. She absolutely adored her four grandchildren! She said often that nothing brought her more joy than watching them grow. She and Ray made a point of being involved in their grandkids’ lives and were delighted to be able to attend their oldest grandchild’s graduation from high school as valedictorian in 2025. They were also faithful, active members at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church and the Jabez Sunday School Class.

Sharon’s life was marked by the fruit of the Holy Spirit. She loved generously and joyously. All who knew her experienced her gentleness and kindness. Peace and goodness dwelled in her spirit. Through hardship and heartbreak, patience, faithfulness, and self-control anchored her to what mattered most. This quiet evidence of her faith in the Lord Jesus assures us that this woman who loved sparkles and flowers on this earth is now and forevermore surrounded by the glittering glory of heaven.

Sharon was preceded in death by her father and mother, her first husband, Bill Smothermon, her Uncle Don Ray Crook and Aunt Betty Crook, her sister Martine, and her brother-in-law Rob Leith.

She is survived by her husband, Ray Kelley; sons, Dean Smothermon and Kevin Smothermon and his wife, Jennifer; step-daughters, Katrina McMullen and her husband, Court, and Monica Henderson and her husband, Terry; siblings, Diane Leith, Lynda Mason and her husband, Ron, Bill Molloy and his wife, Marie, Marianne Molloy, and Monique Amer and her husband, Jack; cousins, Terry Crook, Mindy Walker, and Bryan Crook; grandchildren, Claire and Ella Kate Smothermon and Shepherd and Fisher McMullen; several nieces and nephews; and her beloved dog, Dolly.

The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Pioneer Drive Baptist Church and Wisteria Place for their care and support.