Kelly Michelle Farmer
Kelly Michelle Farmer, 32, passed away on December 9, 2025. She was born on December 16, 1992, and in her short but impactful life, she touched the hearts of all who knew her. Kelly had a deep love for music, books, and writing—especially creating scripts and stories that reflected her vivid imagination and endless curiosity. Above all, she treasured spending time with her family and friends, finding her greatest joy in welcoming each new baby into the family and showering them with affection.
Kelly’s greatest accomplishments were found not in titles or accolades, but in the lives she inspired. She had a rare ability to make others feel valued, seen, and deeply loved. Her positivity, determination, and hopeful spirit never wavered. She encouraged others to dream boldly, just as she did, and her influence will continue to ripple through the many people she uplifted.
Her family describes her as kind, pure of heart, and endlessly loving. Her cousin Leslie shared, “My family lost a beautiful soul yesterday, sweet Kelly. She was the kindest, most pure-of-heart human I’ve ever known. She always made you feel important and loved every time she saw you.”
Her cousin Kari added, “Kelly is with Jesus—no more pain or challenges. She loved fiercely, was dedicated to whatever project she was working on, cherished quality time, and made you feel like you were the most special person in the room. She loved writing and planning and dreaming and music and reading and babies. She made me laugh and gave the best hugs. Goodness, I’m going to miss my sweet cousin.”
Kelly is survived by her father, Jeffrey Farmer; her paternal grandparents, Jim and Judy Farmer; and her maternal grandmother, Juanita Burnette. She is also survived by her paternal uncles and their wives: Jim and Dreama, John and Suzanne, and Joe and Stephanie; her maternal uncle, Rodney Wayne Burnette; her maternal aunt, Debra Daniel; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members.
She leaves behind her cherished lifelong friend Morgan; her caregiver and close friend, Nicole Bates—who was a vital part of Kelly’s life over the past two years; her many beloved cousins:
Katie (Jeremy), Kari (Drew), Ryan (Julie),
Ben (Ashley), Lyndsay (Ben), Jeremy (Macayla), Luke
Riley (Kaitlyn), Chris, and Macy.
Kelly was also blessed with a wide circle of friends who loved her deeply, including her lifeguard friends Holly, Lindsay, Ashley, and Jessica; and friends from school and church: Leslie Brittain, Elizabeth, Kathy, Hilary, and Leslie Frazier.
She was preceded in death by her loving mother, Kimberly Burnette Farmer, and her maternal grandfather, Charles W. Burnette.
Above all, Kelly will be remembered for her warmth, her tenderness, her unwavering optimism, and her ability to brighten every room she entered. She leaves behind a legacy of love, compassion, and encouragement that will continue to live on in all who were fortunate enough to know her.
The family will receive friends at Lotz Funeral Home in Salem on Sunday, December 14, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, December 15, 2025, at Lotz Funeral Home in Salem. Burial will follow at Sherwood Memorial Park.
