Jo Anne Kelley-Collins

Jo Anne Vanada Kelley-Collins, a retired Kentucky educator and a member of the Kentucky Education Association for over 35 years, age 81, passed away on August 14, 2012 at the Sangre de Cristo Hospice in Pueblo, Colorado.  She is survived by her children Joe (Karen) Kelley of La Junta, Colorado; John Kelley of St. Petersburg, Florida; Ben (Thea) Kelley of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Reverend Jeff (Debra) Kelley of Milford, Nebraska and Laurie (Frank) Passini of Dade City, Florida.  She also leaves grandchildren Eli, Carina, William, Stephanie, Allison, Thomas, Meredith, McKye, Nathan, Dallas, Sydney, Maranda, Ryan, and Elizabeth. She was preceded in death by her granddaughter Brynn Kelley and her first husband, William Allen Kelley, and second husband of later years, John Smiley Collins.

Jo Anne was born January 10, 1931 in Madisonville, Kentucky.  Her parents were Joseph Sidney Vanada, an ordained Methodist minister, and Thea Anne Stone, one of the first female graduates of Weslyan College.  Jo Ann had a rich family heritage, being certified with the Daughters of American Revolution for two forefathers who fought in the war for American Independence.

Jo Anne graduated from Lindsey Wilson Junior College and obtained a Master’s Degree from Eastern Kentucky University.  She later got her Rank 1 teacher certification (PHD equivalent) from EKU.  She chose not to pursue opportunities in administration in order to stay directly involved with children in the classroom.  She taught primary school English, reading and special education in the Wayne County and Monticello school districts in Kentucky. She was also band booster for Wayne County School District and cheerleader sponsor for Monticello School District.

Jo Anne volunteered to teach disadvantaged children during the summer months of her career.  She established initial funding of the Collins-Vanada scholarship fund at Lindsey Wilson College to help students that aspired to God’s calling to spiritual vocations.  She was a member of the Ladies Red Hat Society when she moved to La Junta CO.

Her special talents were as an accomplished quilter and as an organist.  She volunteered as organist and pianist for several churches.  

Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

A memorial service will be held at the Christ Church United Methodist in Louisville, Kentucky on Friday, August 24 at 2:00 p.m.  The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Collins-Vanada scholarship fund at Lindsey Wilson College in Columbia, Kentucky.