Rosa Jane Phillips Ray Kelly—a pioneering nurse, dedicated educator, and proud daughter of the Commonwealth—passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones at the age of 93. Her life was a remarkable journey across the diverse landscapes of Kentucky, leaving behind an enduring legacy of healing, leadership, and education from the western farmlands to the eastern mountains.

Born during the Great Depression on February 24, 1933, on a small farm in Lewisburg (Logan County), Jane’s early years were shaped by the strength and resilience of rural Kentucky. She began her professional life in Mayfield, where she spent nearly twenty years as a bedside nurse and hospital supervisor, establishing herself as a cornerstone of the Graves County medical community.

In 1969, Jane’s world was reshaped by heartbreak when her first husband, Bob Ray, passed away at the age of 36. Left as a young widow and single mother to two young daughters, Jane navigated those challenging years with extraordinary grit and grace. Determined to build a brighter future for her family through education, she returned to Murray State University full-time, earning both her BSN and a Master’s degree in Education.

This educational path took her family to Morehead, where she served with distinction as the Head of the Department of Nursing at Morehead State University, and later to Frankfort, where she served as the State Director of Health and Human Services for the Kentucky Department of Education. Following her retirement in 1995, Jane continued her commitment to public service by working part-time for Kentucky’s Legislative Research Commission during Special Sessions. In 2017, she returned to Southcentral Kentucky to make her home in Bowling Green.

Jane’s influence on healthcare across Kentucky was profound and far-reaching. She was instrumental in developing the Kentucky Medicaid Nurse Aide Program, establishing standards that ensured quality care and dignity for the elderly statewide. As the state advisor for HOSA (Future Health Professionals) for over two decades, she mentored thousands of students, inspiring and guiding them toward careers in medicine and community service.

Beyond her formal titles, Jane was a fierce advocate for young women. At a time when women were still breaking barriers in leadership, Jane led by example. She inspired a generation of women to pursue higher education, professional independence, and the confidence to lead with both competence and deep compassion.

To know Jane was to appreciate a woman of sharp wit, strong convictions, and impeccable style. A true "pioneer mother," she seamlessly balanced the demands of a high-level executive career with the devotion of raising her two daughters. She was famously quick-witted, fiercely independent, and a passionate collector of English antiques who found beauty in restoration—both in her home and in the lives of those she championed.

Jane remained intellectually vibrant throughout her life. She was a keen observer who closely followed the complexities of Kentucky politics, as well as an avid gardener who found peace and joy working in the earth. Most of all, she deeply relished and celebrated the achievements of her family, friends, and former students, viewing their successes as her own greatest reward.

Jane was preceded in death by her parents, Z.L. and Laurine Phillips; her first husband, Bob Ray; her second husband, Colonel Arthur L. Kelly; her sister, Helen Phillips; her brothers, Paul, Bob, and Joe Phillips; and her son-in-law, John Dickinson.

Her legacy of love, strength, and unwavering belief in education lives on through:

• Daughters: Susan Jane Ray Dickinson, and Dr. Sally J. Ray (Dr. Roger D. Vincent) of Bowling Green, KY
• Grandsons: Twin grandsons Adam Dickinson of Springfield, VA, and Ryan Dickinson of Louisville, KY
• Great-Grandson: Myles Dickinson
• Stepchildren: Dan Kelly (Darlene) of Springfield, KY; Sue Anne Ballard (Jim) of Elizabethtown, KY; Steve Kelly of Charlotte, NC; and Krista Thompson (Ron) of Springfield, KY
• Sister-in-Law: Fay Phillips of Louisville, KY
• Extended Family: Several beloved nieces, nephews, and a rising generation of great-nieces and great-nephews.

Jane is also remembered by her dear lifelong friends Pam Thompson Knight (Pawleys Island, SC), Teresa Brady Luther (Louisville, KY), and Billie Day (Owensboro, KY); her devoted caregivers—Marilyn Baker, Gulya “Gigi” Khayal, Doville Truitt, Leilani Weiland, and Rebekah Van Arsdale; and her faithful grand-pup and namesake, Ruby Jane.

The family wishes to express its profound and heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Sherry Reed and Dr. Vidya Seshadri, along with their dedicated staff. These "angels on earth" provided Jane with far more than medical expertise; their deep compassion and steadfast care were a source of immense comfort and strength.

Additionally, the family is forever grateful to Hospice of Southern Kentucky for the dignity, peace, and tender support provided to Jane and her loved ones during her final days. Their presence was a blessing that allowed Jane to complete her journey with the same grace that defined her life.

• Visitation: Saturday, August 1, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Lewisburg Community Fellowship (formerly Lewisburg United Methodist Church) in Logan County.
• Funeral Service: 2:00 PM at Lewisburg Community Fellowship, officiated by Brother Lawrence Kelley.
• Interment: Burial will follow immediately at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church Cemetery in Logan County.

Expressions of Sympathy: Memorial contributions may be made to the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church Cemetery Fund. Envelopes will be available at the church during the visitation.