Kelly Marie Gilland

Kelly Marie Gilland, 48, of Waco, Texas passed away from this earth October 24, 2023.

Visitation: 5 – 8PM Wednesday, November 8 at Lake Shore Funeral Home

Kelly was born January 2, 1975, in Birmingham, Alabama… “Roll Tide”. She was the only child born to Linda Marie Doss and John Micheal Gilland. They lived in Warrior, Alabama, until her parents divorced in 1976. From there, Kelly went with her mother who joined a traveling circus for a while. Kelly always loved to talk about how fun it was being a ‘carny’s” kid with all the treats, rides, and being able to go behind the scenes. At the age of 7, Kelly went to live with her beloved “Mamaw” Dovie for a time.

In early 1989, while Kelly was living in Pensacola, Florida, she met a strapping gentleman named Harvey W. Mackley through a group of friends. Kelly immediately had to call her mother Linda to come and meet this man named Harvey. From that one phone call, Kelly gained the father figure she had been missing and found her mother’s soulmate. In September of 1995 Harvey and Linda married. For Kelly, Harvey was not just a stepfather, but he was her “Pops.” From then on, “Pops” was her “Rock” and “Shelter” from any storm, with a bond that even the Gods could not break. For once, she knew, she and her mother were protected and safe.

Kelly attended Warrior and Hayden Elementary and Pensacola High School. She then went to work for Kelly’s’ Animal Hospital in Center Point, Alabama starting as kennel technician and eventually with hard work she was promoted up to kennel manager. Over her years of dedication, and great work ethic she became a Vet Technician. After moving to Waco, she began working for Caterpillar as the Shipping and Receiving Manager. In 2011, Kelly decided to attend McLennan Community College, graduating with an associate degree in business management.

In 1993, Kelly met Keith Pate and they married on October 23,1993 soon after, she gave birth to her only daughter, Haley Marie Pate October 10, 1994. Kelly moved to Waco Texas in 2004 after her divorce. Where she met and married David Whitley for a few years. Kelly then met and married Chaz Jobe. Through that marriage she became mom to Chaz’s son, Chase, whom she adored and loved as if he was her own. She and Chaz divorced in 2017. In September 2018, Kelly welcomed the birth of her first grandbaby, a boy named, Liam Matthew Taylor. Kelly in December 2019, she welcomed the birth of her second grandbaby, a girl named Lily Taylor. In January 2020 Kelly reconnected with an old flame named Stanley “Preacher” Pugh. They enjoyed six beautiful months together living life to the fullest, until his sudden passing in July of 2020.

Kelly was preceded in death by her father, John Michael Gilland; grandparents, Virgil, and Dovie; uncle, Johnny Reno; cousin, Johnny Durell; companion, Stanley “Preacher” Pugh; and ex-husband, David Whitley.

Those left behind to grieve her loss include her parents, Harvey and Linda Mackley; daughter, Haley Marie (Pate) Taylor; beloved grandchildren, Liam and Lily Taylor; sister, April Butler; brothers, Eric Gilland, Chad Gilland, and Chase Twiner; niece, Lexi Burke; boyfriend, Jesse Sawin; Chase Jobe, Zach Gilliam, and a host of other family and friends.

Place of Service: Lake Shore Funeral Home Chapel , 5201 Steinbeck Bend; Waco, TX 76708