Kally Ann Felts had a way of making things grow — families, friendships, faith, and the quiet joy found in an ordinary day. She passed away peacefully surrounded by family and prayers in the early hours of Friday, July 4, 2025, after a long journey with fronto-temporal dementia. She was 65.

Mass of Christian Burial: 10:30 am, Thursday, July 10, 2025, Saint Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church.

Interment: Azleland Memorial Park, Azle, Texas

Visitation: 6:30 – 8:30 pm, Wednesday, July 9, 2025, Biggers Funeral Chapel, with recitation of the Holy Rosary to commence at 6:00 pm prior to visitation.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Thomas the Apostle's Building Fund (https://sttafw.org/onefamily) which supports the construction of a much-needed parish hall and/or Texas Health Resources's Nursing Excellence Fund (https://www.texashealth.org/Foundation/Donations) (designated under Donation Allocation) which provides scholarships for people looking to advance their nursing career.

Kally was born on December 8, 1959, in Wichita, Kansas, the third of six children to Richard and Lois Smith. Her family moved to Azle, Texas when she was in sixth grade, planting roots that would hold for a lifetime. She graduated from Azle High School in 1977 and soon became a mother, raising four children: Gretchen, Andrew, Deric, and Ingrid, with their father, Mike Merrill. Together, they navigated the busy years of a growing young family.

Kally's life was not always easy, but she met every challenge with grit, grace, and a quiet perseverance that her children will always remember and carry on. Determined to build something better, she earned her nursing degree from TCJC (now TCC) in 1986 while raising four young kids. Her nursing career began at Harris Hospital in Fort Worth, but her heart found a home in the operating room at Harris Methodist Northwest Hospital in Azle, where she spent many years caring for and tending to others with steady hands and a compassionate spirit.

Faith was the compass that guided Kally's life. She wove her Catholic beliefs and values into the fabric of her family's daily rhythm: summers spent serving at the church food bank, Sundays singing with the church choir. Through these simple acts of service, she showed her children what it meant to live with purpose.

In 1994, Kally married Bill Felts, the love of her life. Their blended family grew to include two bonus daughters, Katherine and Jennifer. Together Kally and Bill welcomed a son, Coby, in 1995.

In 2001, Kally faced a fierce battle with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and, with her characteristic determination and unwavering faith, she beat it.

Afterward, she brought her nurturing heart to school nursing, caring for countless children in the Eagle Mountain-Saginaw school district.

Kally's proudest role came later in life: Nana. Her grandchildren lit up her world and added another layer of joy to her beautiful story. She spent countless summer days slathering sunscreen on little bodies and opening popsicles by the pool. She always made the holidays special for her children and particularly her grandchildren, whether making Christmas candy with the family or orchestrating elaborate egg hunts for the grandbabies.

In her final years, Kally's world became quieter, but she was never alone. She was surrounded by family, dear friends, and the enduring love she built over a lifetime.

Kally's story is one of steadfast love, everyday faithfulness, and a life that quietly bloomed in the company of those she loved. Her absence will be deeply felt, but her roots run wide and deep. Through the generations who follow, her love and legacy will grow on.

Kally was preceded in death by her parents, Lois and Richard Smith and her mother and father-in-law, Jeannine and Jack Felts.

Left to cherish her loving memory are: devoted husband, William Felts; siblings, Loiette Dixon, Ron and Cynthia Smith, Nick and MaryAnn Smith, Kevin and Melody Smith, and Lisa and Danny Lindsey; sister-in-law Linda Merrill; daughter, Gretchen Clark and husband, Mickey; son, Andrew Merrill and wife Janice; step-daughter, Katherine Adams and husband, Matthew; step-daughter, Jennifer Felts and wife, Shayla Barber; son, Deric Merrill and wife, Lauren; daughter, Ingrid Penacerrada and husband, Lioneel, Coby Felts; grandchildren, Collin and Jack Clark, Cody, Justin, and Savannah Howard and Shelbee Saunders, Emerson and Elton Merrill, Everett and Eleanor Penacerrada; numerous cherished god children, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Kally's family would also like to express heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the hospice team at St. Gabriel's for their tender, delicate care during this challenging time, particularly Jamie, Ro, Wanda, and Crystal and especially Cindy and Leslee.