May 21 1961 February 17 2020
Juana Kellene “Kelly” Barbee Bray, daughter of JG “Jack” and Betty Janice (Perrin) Barbee, was born May 21, 1961 in Tulia, Texas. She attended Tulia School District where she graduated in 1979. She later went to college and received her Associates Degree in Business Management at Amarillo College in 2003. On July 21, 1982, Kelly was united in marriage to Robert Wayne Bray in Amarillo, Texas. They had four children: Tandi, Charlie Bryan, Tera, and Robert JR “Bubba”. Her family was always very important to her and Kelly and Wayne followed them across the country from Texas to North Dakota, then settling in Iowa. In 2013 Wayne passed away unexpectedly, and it was after that time that Kelly opened her heart again and met Mark “Maple” Musich, Sr. Kelly worked the majority of her life in food restaurants as management. It wasn’t until she turned 50 that she found her true calling, working with the elderly. Kelly obtained her CNA at the age of 50 and worked for Good Samaritan, and finally ending her career at Little Flower Haven in Earling, Iowa until it closed. Kelly would take in anyone needing a place to stay or a warm meal. While Kelly loved her children it was her Grandchildren that stole her heart. Kelly always said “Being a Grandma is way better than being a Mom.”. Kelly was a Grandma at a very young age and refused to be called anything but Grandma Kelly, and bless your heart if you ever tried calling her Granny or Nana. Kelly enjoyed volunteering and in 2008 she was named Volunteer of the Year by the Downtown Women’s Center in Amarillo, TX. Kelly also enjoyed gardening, but her speciality was finding the best deal, whether it was from thrift stores, swap sited, garage sales, and the curb shopping she was always on the lookout for. Kelly died on Monday, February 17, 2020 at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan, Iowa. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Robert Wayne Bray, brother James “Turnip” Barbee, and grandson Jordan Patrick Lutz. Kelly is survived by her significant other Mark Musich of Earling, IA; daughter Tandi Lutz and Tim of Westphalia, IA and their children Toby Hess and Sierra of Helena, MT; Zachary Lutz of Burlington, ND; Zachary Barbee and Harley of Velva, ND; great grandson Alistor Uriah Patrick Barbee of Leighton, IA; Maverick Hess of Amarillo, TX; Jonathan Hess of Pampa, TX; son Charlie Bray and Brittany of Minot, ND; their children Lindi Avara of Florence, TX; Hunter Haase of Wichita, KS; daughter Tera Davis and John of Harlan, IA; their children Joshua Bray, Jesslyn Davis, Elizabeth Davis all of Harlan, IA; son Robert “Bubba” Bray Jr. and Shannon of Amarillo, TX; their children Austin Cote and Jessica, Angel Sustaita, Jj Sustaita, Jaedah Sustaita, Jamie Cote all of Amarillo, TX; Blessings picked up along the way: Sasha Johnson and Robert with their children Colin Johnson, Sadie Johnson, Hendrix Johnson all of Walnut, IA; Jacob Musich of Avoca, IA; Majesta Musich and Travis with their son Weston of Woodbine, IA; Mark Musich Jr. and Faith with their children Owen, & Octavia all of Harlan, IA; Isabella Musich of Harlan, IA; Delaney Musich of Harlan, IA; and Ashley Garrison with her children Miley Garrison, Madden Stream, Masik Garrison all of Westphalia, IA; siblings Sue Fellers and the late Charlie Fellers, of Houston, TX; Jay Barbee and Judy of Higgins, TX; Matt Barbee of Tulia, TX; Jackie Gamble and Dan of Gladewater, TX, Lisa Barbee of Minneapolis, MN; life long best friends Donna and CT Echols III of Pecos, TX; and many, many others that were blessed to know her. Memorial Services will be held Monday, February 24, 2020 – 4:00 PM at Hope Harvest Church in Harlan, Iowa and Saturday, February 29, 2020 – 1:00 PM at Memorial Park and Cemetery in Amarillo, Texas. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Juana “Kelly” Bray please visit our Sympathy Store.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Juana Kelly Bray May 21 1961 February 17 2020.
Death notice for the town of: Denison, state: Iowa