Roll Call Tribute

Kelli Shelton Grage
April 21, 1973 - April 27, 2020

Graveside services for Kelli Shelton Grage will be held on Thursday, April 30, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. at Union Cemetery near Freestone. Rev. Richard Gillet will officiate.

Kelli Renee Shelton Grage, was a remarkable woman who absolutely loved to smile and be surrounded by friends and family at every opportunity. She was born in Baytown, Texas on April 21, 1973, to Joe Terry Shelton and Patty Jo Hames Shelton. Kelli was a late arrival to the Shelton household, her sister Teresa being 16 years older and her brother Carl being 11 years older. Kelli was a tomboy at heart, loving the outdoors. She loved to go with her dad wade fishing, shrimping, and riding on his Goldwing. She loved visiting the property in Freestone where she would ride her horse “Dusty”, go fishing in everyone’s ponds, ride her aunt Muriel’s “Big-Red” three-wheeler and read books right here in Union Cemetery. She spoke often about how peaceful it is here. Kelli tried to never be alone. No matter what she was doing, she made sure friends were with her every step of the way. Raised in the Church of Christ, Kelli was an equal opportunity Christian. She attended various churches, any vacation bible school that she could get to, even passing out flyers for a church in her neighborhood. Kelli was simply one of God’s people persons. Kelli attended Barbers Hill High school, then attended Texas A&M University achieving a BS in Health. It was there she met her husband Rodney Todd Grage. After graduation she waited for Todd to finish his degree. She agreed to move with him to Seattle, Washington. Not liking the cool damp climate there, she subtly informed Todd that Texas was where they should be. They married on December 27th, 1997 in Bryan, TX. They settled in Pearland TX and started a family. Kyle Jacob Grage came in 2001 and Abbey Jo Grage in 2003. The completed the family unit along with many cats and dogs, including Bruno her therapy dog. Kelli loved her children dearly and devoted her life to making them first. In 1998 Kelli was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, battling this disease with every new medication that came to market. The MS was managed well until 2014 when back pain began to rob her of mobility. In 2016 came a diagnosis of stage 4 lobular breast cancer. Kelli’s mother was lost to breast cancer years earlier and this news was devastating, but Kelli remained positive. She fought hard to keep her disease at bay for over 4 years until she could fight no more. On April 27, 2020, Kelli passed peacefully with her family by her side. Kelli is survived by her husband, Todd; son, Kyle; daughter, Abbey; sister, Teresa Kay Lee; and the cats and Bruno.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks to please consider a donation to the PINK DOOR Nonprofit Organization (https://pinkdoornonprofit.org/) for women battling cancer who need financial assistance. Or purchase flowers for your home and dedicate them to Kelli's memory.

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