Vernetta Joyce Kelley-Brown

Vernetta Joyce Kelley-Brown was born October 18, 1951, in Wichita, Kansas. She was the third of five children born to the union of Vernell Leo Kelley and Otelia Mae Kelly. Vernetta completed her secondary education in Poteau, Ok. Upon graduation, she attended Carl Albert College in Sallisaw, OK. As a young adult, Vernetta lived in Poteau, OK, where she gave birth to Christie Kelly. She later moved back to Wichita, KS, where Quincy Conway and Chauncey Conway were born. She also lived in Muskogee, OK where she made several long-time friends. She studied Organizational Management and Leadership at Friends University, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism, in 2009. Vernetta’s deep, personal desire and professional mission was to help others. She first began this mission at the North Texas Job Corps, McKinney, TX, as a Career Counselor. She provided counseling to students, covering personal and social development, career goals and behavioral support. She then continued her mission when relocating to Wichita KS, where she began her career in public education as a Paraprofessional, at Wichita Unified School District 259’s Jardine Middle School. She performed teaching-related tasks to help students reach and maintain academic standards. In October 2013, she retired from USD 259 after 11 years of service. Retirement was no longer on the table when she relocated to Plano, TX, and accepted a position at Workforce Solutions for North Central Texas. She was employed for 10 years as a Talent Development Specialist, aiding job seekers to develop their skillset for employment searches. Her final role was with Lifepath Plano Services, Plano, TX, where she was a Behavioral Case Manager. Vernetta coordinated care and provided support for individuals with behavioral and mental health challenges. She was still employed at Lifepath Plano Services at the time of her passing. Personal causes dear to her were: Arts and Culture, Children, Education, Health, Human Rights, and Social Services Vernetta was known for her warm and friendly personality, classy sense of fashion and strong family ties. She was affectionally known as Nettie. She wore many hats as an extremely loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She lived her life on her own terms. Her sassy wit, charm, charisma, and spirit was unique and undeniable. The love and support she had for her siblings was immeasurable and distinct for each one. They will carry an abundance of childhood and adulthood memories forever. She dedicated her life to her children and grandchildren. Her love for them was unwavering. The overflowing commitment to her grandchildren, some of whom she helped raise, was nothing short of phenomenal. She was a teacher of life. Her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews all received lessons from the VJ School of Hard Knocks. They were lessons for a lifetime. She had a flare for interior decorating that influenced many. She is now, and always will be, greatly missed. We will fondly remember her phone calls, text messages, Facebook posts, cooking, and shared recipes. Hail to the Queen! Our beloved Vernetta Joyce Kelley-Brown received her wings at age 73, on October 17, 2025, in Dallas, TX. She was proceeded in death by her parents, Vernell Leo Kelley and Otelia Mae Kelly; daughter, Christie Patrice Kelly; her son, Chauncey Conway; and grand-daughter, Sabryna Guerrero-Newman. She leaves precious memories and everlasting love to her son, Quincy Conway; Grandchildren: Brandon Kelly, Anthony Edwards, Tevias Patterson, Quinisha Conway, Chauncey Edwards, Kendall Adams, Romane Douglas, Quinten Kelly, Christian Kelly, Quincy Conway, Jr., Brandi Kelly, Demarius Clayton, and Maylasia Kelly; Great--Grandchildren: Mystique Askew-Kelly, Chelsi Edwards, A’mya Edwards, Ze‘Kobe Edwards, Kamari Kelly, Kaior Adams, and Corion Adams; Siblings: Robert Kelly (Shanine), Sandra Trotter, Dowana Kelley, Michael Kelly, Donna Wood, Bruce Morgan, Teresa Newman (Steven), and Linnae Allen-Williams (Darryl), and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

Vernetta Joyce Kelley-Brown

October 18, 1951 - October 17, 2025