LaWanna Kelly

Mrs. LaWanna Kelly, age 46, of Vidalia, passed away on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at her home after an extended illness. Born in Dublin on March 31, 1979, and raised in Newnan, she graduated from Newnan High School in 1997. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Georgia Southern University in 2002, a Master of Science degree in Education from Walden University in 2007, and an Education Specialist degree from Georgia Southern University in 2012.

LaWanna devoted twenty-six years to teaching, beginning in Butts County, then in Dublin, and spending the past ten years at Sally D. Meadows Elementary School. A member of Connection Church, she served faithfully with Connection Kids. She found joy in reading, traveling, visiting Disney World, and especially spending time in her favorite place, Key West, Florida.

She was preceded in death by her father, Frank Brown, and her mother, Marjorie Louise Dukes Butts. LaWanna is survived by her husband, Ross Kelly; her children, Amelia Kelly of Vidalia, Luke Hartley and wife Cammie of Hazlehurst, and Carson Hartley, Lason Kelly, and Serynn Kelly, all of Vidalia; her stepmother, Genelle McDonald Brown; her brother, Andy Roland and wife Mindy of Eastman; and several nieces and nephews.