Leola "Kay" (Durham) Connelly, 74, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, March 29, 2017 at Kirksville Manor Care Center.

Kay was born July 29, 1942 in Kirksville, Missouri, the daughter of the late William Morse and Juanita Irene (Davis) Durham. On March 27, 1965 in New London, Iowa, Kay was united in marriage to Patrick James Connelly who preceded her in death on April 11, 2003. She was also preceded in death by one brother, Leon Durham and one niece, Cynthia Kay Durham.

Kay is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Patrick Morse and Jennifer Connelly of Washington State; two daughters and a son-in-law, Christina and Jason Dupree of Greentop, MO and Julia Ann Connelly and (Dustin Martin) of Novinger, MO; one sister and brother-in-law, Phyllis and Ron Hamilton of Kirksville, MO; nine grandchildren, Heather Kay Rouse, James David Connelly, Kail Wyatt Shrouf, Cody Alan Shrouf, Meagan Greer Connelly, Owen Patrick Connelly, Brenna Caitlin Connelly, Nora Glenn Connelly, and Jack Logan Connelly; four great-grandchildren, Amarah Pearl Connelly, Heaven Paige Lavendar, Hailey Autumn Lavendar, and Hope LeAnn Faith Rouse; and one niece and one nephew.

Kay graduated from high school in New London, Iowa and while in high school attended Burlington Cosmetology school. She worked at the Ammunition Plant in Iowa before moving to Independence, Missouri where she resided for several years. Kay then moved to Kirksville, Missouri, and was employed at Grim Smith and KOH Hospitals.

She enjoyed gardening, cooking, country music shows, and collecting cook books and recipes. Kay was a very devoted wife and mother who loved time spent with her family and grandchildren. She was also a very active volunteer for the March of Dimes.

Kay was a member of the Fellowship Baptist Church of Kirksville.

Public visitation will be held Monday, April 3, 2017 with family receiving friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the chapel of Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 4, 2017 at Travis-Noe Funeral Home with Pastor Larry Gibson officiating. Interment will follow the service at Highland Park Cemetery in Kirksville.

Pallbearers will be Kail Shrouf, Cody Shrouf, Julia Connelly, Josh Seward, Andy McVay, and Ivan McVay. Honorary Pallbearers will be Owen Connelly, James Connelly, J.B. Billington, Bobby Durham, Ron Hamilton, and Josh Hamilton.

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Kay Connelly may be made to Hospice of Northeast Missouri. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.