Linda Kay Kelley. December 6, 1940-November 11, 2017. An extraordinary woman who lived life with passion and purpose. From amazing joy and happiness to excruciating pain and sorrow – life did not defeat nor control her. She fought its injustices until she won. She lived by her terms, even in death. When faced with dark moments, she cried. When the tears dried, she laughed and acted silly.

Linda wanted the simple things in life: Be a mother, homemaker, wife, friend, mentor, grandmother. Create a close-knit family. God had bigger plans for her.

She created that close-knit family: a loving, loyal husband; three grown children who got along and liked being together. Holidays filled with surprises, love and laughter. Silly, funny moments with those she loved: her friends, kids, nieces and favorite nephew Robert. Being there when her grandchildren were born. Riding her horses, watching one of her horses give birth to a new foal. Watching her kids grow up to be decent human beings. Caring for sick animals and visiting Louisiana to watch her racehorses run. Decorating her home, traveling across the country and shopping. Then evil destroyed it.

In 1988, Linda's two adult children Mark & Kara were killed during an armed robbery at the family's pawn shop in Houston. Kara was 20; Mark was 26. For the next eight years, she fought tirelessly for Homicide Survivors and Crime Victims' Rights, while grieving her devastating loss.

Linda was a steadfast warrior for Criminal Justice, Homicide Survivors and Crime Victims. She was the driving force behind many Texas laws protecting or advocating for innocent Crime Victims and their families. Notably the new Texas law (1996) allowing family members to view the execution of their loved ones' murderer.

From 1988-1997, Linda joined forces with other extraordinary women who fought for Criminal Justice: Marinelle Timmons of Houston's Victim Assistance Centre, Pam Lychner of Justice For All, Shirley Parrish, Ruby Tucker and Pat Teer of Parents of Murdered Children. She was Past President, Parents of Murdered Children (1994-'96). POMC Member 1989-1997. Member "Justice For All" (1993-'97), founded by Pam Lychner.

Whenever anyone needed support, she was there for them. Whether friends, family, or her POMC family.

In 1996, Linda became the first mother in Texas to view an execution of the man who murdered her two grown children. She fought for that right, relentlessly. She won – with the help of others. Her journey from devastation to relief is the subject of 1997 HBO documentary "A Kill For A Kill.

Living life by her own terms. She was honest, loving, loyal, strong-willed with a sense of humor that popped any tension in the room. Everyone loved Linda.

In 2010, while living in Sedona AZ, Linda was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lymphoma at the age of 70. She beat it with help from MD Anderson-Houston and a few friends.

On September 15, 2017 at age 76, she was diagnosed again with Stage 4 Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. This time, she was ready to join her husband of 55 years in Heaven and let go.

Linda remained feisty and sprite until two days before her death. She died peacefully in her sleep, as she always wanted. For last 30 years, when she looked at a clock, it always read "11:11". She died on 11-11. She was born at 5:12a. She died at 5am. She lived and died on her terms.

Linda is predeceased by her husband Jim W. Kelley, daughter Kara Denise Kelley-Voss, son Mark Brandon Kelley, sister Virginia Ann Simmons. Survived by daughter Robin Amanda Kelley of Houston & Sedona AZ; brother Larry Jones of Austin; nephew Robert William Fife III; numerous nieces and nephews; estranged grandchildren Bryan & Elizabeth.