Evelyn Sue Kelsey

Graveside services for Evelyn Sue Kelsey, 84, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, January 3, 2025, at Oak Lawn Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.    

Mrs. Kelsey passed away Thursday, December 26, 2024, at Ozarks Healthcare. 

She was born September 12, 1940, at West Plains, Missouri, to the late Avril “Bart” and Mary Humphrey Hill.  Evelyn graduated from West Plains High School in 1958. She operated and owned the Two-Way Cafe with her late mother, Mary Hill.  On January 13, 1979, she was married to Captain Ed Kelsey, Missouri Highway Patrol, until his death in 1994. They enjoyed life together with motorcycle riding, scuba diving, camping at the lake and other outdoor activities. She loved working in her yard which always is beautiful.  She always felt that her greatest accomplishment was raising and enjoying her four successful children. She was of the Baptist faith and was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of West Plains.

She is survived by three of her children, Carolan Hand (Terry), Nixa Missouri, Brian Easley, West Plains Missouri and Brenda Burden, West Plains Missouri; five grandsons, Russell Hand, Nixa, Missouri, Kipp Easley (Dawn), Nixa, Missouri, Bart Hand (Lindsey), Monroe, Washington, Sergeant Grant Easley, U.S. Army, Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Cole Easley, Clarksville, Tennessee; and four great-grandchildren, Brynlee and Adam Easley and Harrison and Sophia Hand.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Captain Ed Kelsey, one son, Dr. Brent Easley, her parents, one sister, Barbara Weaver and one brother, Richard Hill.

Visitation services will be held from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m., Thursday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.