Bobbie Jean Pace was born the fourth child to Steve and Ruth Pace in Huttig, AR with a midwife assisting in the delivery on January 29, 1939. She went to school at Lincoln High School.

Bobbie went unto the work force at an early age. She did housekeeping for several people, but around 1962 she found her ideal work environment with the family of George Richard "Dick" Mosley and Alicia Horton Mosley. She was dedicated to going to this job; helping the family raise their children and then on to raising the grandchildren. She worked for this family until her health declined. The Mosley's went from employer to extended family.

Bobbie was an active member of Greater St. Paul Baptist church. She joined under the leadership of Pastor IR Dunn. After his transition she supported Pastor George Smith until his transition and then encouraged Rev. Jeffrey Franklin. She was an Usher, an active member of Sunday School Class "B", she worked tirelessly in the kitchen at many repasts, always supported Vacation Bible School with homemade treats, and she was also an active member of the Circle Mission. She loved her St. Paul Church family.

Bobbie's passion was baking sweets. She was known as the "Cake Lady". She made many cakes and shipped them anywhere you wanted from Arkansas, other states and even to Germany.

Bobbie loved the festivities of February. She loved dressing up in African attire and modeling. Another reason she loved February because it was the time that she celebrated her birthday. Her parents always told her that she was born on February 29, 1940. So she would celebrate on the years that had a leap year and the years that didn't on February 28th. She had her birthday group of friends that they celebrated until they passed on.

On Sunday, February 1, 2026, Bobbie Jean Pace Kelly made her transition from Time into Eternity when she heard her name being called, beckoning her to Glory.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, LC and McArthur, her sisters, Roosevelt and Lessie Pearl, and her oldest daughter, Johnnie Diane, and granddaughter, Marquita Kelly Gant.

Bobbie will forever be cherished in the hearts of those who lives she indelibly touched, her two sons, Bennie Kelly of Temple, Texas and Charles Kelly, of Malvern, AR, her daughter, Patsy R. Jones (Robert) of Camden, AR, her sister, Mary M. Pace, her grandsons, Anthony Avery, Stratney Johnson, and Derwin Kelly, her granddaughters, Brittany Kelly and Ashley Kelly Clary (Jason), a host of great grandchildren and great-great grands, special cousin, Joyce Gillette, and other relatives, and friends.

A visitation will be held Friday, February 06, 2026 from 3:00PM to 6:00PM at Proctor Funeral Home.  Funeral service will be 11:00AM Saturday, February 07, 2026 at Greater St. Paul Church with burial in Good Hope Cemetery.