of Little Rock, AR

July 13, 1928 - February 6, 2025

Reiko Hasegawa Kelley, 96, was born in Kobe Japan on July 13, 1928. She married the love of her life, Grover Kelley, on December 2, 1955, and began the life of a career military wife, relocating to several military posts over the years and raising their family of four daughters. They retired from the military to Little Rock, Arkansas. Their focus on family, faith and education set the tone for the success of their future generations grateful for the solid foundation provided by these loving parents and grandparents.

Reiko was known for her gracious hospitality and her demure nature, but she was always up for a new adventure. In addition to her military travels, she lived in Arkansas, California, and returning to Arkansas for her final years. Reiko loved her extensive travel in the states, Hawaii and Europe. She volunteered with American Field Services and served as an interpreter for a visiting Japanese delegation. She was a faithful member of Nall's Memorial Baptist Church and served as a deacon in her 80s at First Presbyterian Church of Altadena. As part of the Aloha Allure Dance group in California until she was 90, she performed at various venues around Los Angeles with a delightful group of beautiful senior women bringing joy to the community. Her years with International Friendship, RV club, Tai Chi, ballroom and square dancing, activities at local senior citizen centers, and volunteering brought her much happiness - as well as joy to those who surrounded her.

Her last social group was the elders of the Badami Cottage at Little Rock's Green House Cottages. This loving group of elders and their extraordinary families came together in a beautiful way to create a supportive home. Reiko was blessed by their friendship and by the cottage and hospice staff who demonstrated love and care during her time there.

Reiko was preceded in death by her husband, Grover Kelley, her parents, Saijiro and Toyo Toyoda Hasegawa, siblings, Ken Hasegawa and Kiyo Hasegawa. She is survived by her brother Kozo Hasegawa and her daughters Deanna (Gerald) Bushman, Elizabeth (Stephen) Kelley, Janet (Stan) Powell, and Linda (Dale) Donham, a host of nieces and nephews near and dear to her heart, grandchildren, April (Jessie) Flores, Stephanie (Christopher) Marchand, Katelin Powell, Rachel Bushman, Tiffany (Alan) Goldstein, Sam (Bryce) Donham, Jonathan Bushman, Alex Donham, Mark Powell and eight great grandchildren. Her family was her life focus, and they are more than appreciative of Reiko's life well-lived and her constant and loving presence in their lives.

There will be a visitation held at 10:00am on Monday, February 17, 2025, at Roller McNutt Funeral Home in Conway, Arkansas, followed by funeral services at 11:00am. Interment will be at 3:00pm at Pinecrest Memorial Park in Alexander, Arkansas.

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