Elizabeth Maude Arnaud Kelley

Elizabeth "Maude" Arnaud Kelley, 87, of Groves, TX peacefully passed on the afternoon of November 29, 2019. She was the daughter of Louis Philip Arnaud and Felicia Marie Stelly, Maude was born on September 2, 1932 in Port Arthur, TX. She attended Catholic school and was a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church (Immaculate Conception).

Before Alzheimer's disease altered her life, Maude lived a full life.  She loved cooking for her large family she referred to as the "whole bunch.” Everyone spent many great times enjoying her delicious meals, especially those special seasonal dishes that her family anticipated.  All the family remembers Nana playing her morning game of Solitaire while she drank her pot of coffee. Maude had a special gift of caring for others, particularly her dear friends. One of her favorite pastimes was playing card games with her friends. Listening to the Sunday morning Cajun Music program on the radio was a weekly event.  She was a good bowler; played in a league back in the day. She looked forward to her monthly classmate lunches, too. Maude never met a stranger.  No one had to ask her for help; she just knew at heart what needed to be done. One of her favorite statements was "I do more things by accident than some people do on purpose.”

Maude is survived by a large, loving family - her seven children and their spouses: Karen Kelley, Diana Hall (Tony), Kathy LeBlanc (Tim), Philip Kelley (Sheryl), Phyllis Barras (Ronnie), Felecia Brodnax (Billy), and Jervis Kelley (Jeri); grandchildren Brice Hall, Laura Manrique, Lisa Trevino, Angela Manganice, Jason Kelley, Justin Kelley, Jennifer Simerly, Katie Montalvo, Julie Fultz, Kelley Osment, Kristin Ancelet, Ryan Kelley, and her step-grandchildren; sisters Wilma Clause and Jean Ann Jorgensen; sister-in-law Dorothy L. Kelley; plus many great-grandchildren and numerous caring nieces and nephews.

Maude was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Jake Everett Kelley and her brother, Jack J. Arnaud.

A visitation will be held Tuesday, December 3, 2019 from 4:00 - 7:00 P.M. at Clayton-Thompson Funeral Home in Groves.  A Rosary will be prayed at 6:30 that evening.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, December 4, 2019 at 10:00 A.M.at Immaculate Conception-St. Pater Catholic Church in Groves, celebrant will be Msgr. Kenneth Greig. Entombment will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park.

Maude’s family wishes to extend a special thank you to all of the loving caregivers who worked with her over many years. Additionally, a very special thank you goes to Leisa January for her genuine love and care for Maude.