Individual Details

Death

Iris Jean Furr Kellis, longtime resident of Long Beach, passed away on December 12, 2020; she was 85. She was well known for her generosity and ability to make anyone feel like a part of her large family. Iris was born Sept. 8, 1935 to Bessie and Fulton Furr in Hemp, NC. She and her older brother Arnold spent their childhood years listening to the music her parents would make with relatives and friends in their living room. Iris moved with her family to Newport News, VA in the 1940's. There she met neighbor Fred Kellis when the two were 14. A friendship turned to courtship and at age 17 they eloped, skipping school for the day where Iris cited "Got married" for the absence. The two remained in VA with Fred working at the Local Newspaper, Shipyard and many other jobs to support his large family. Iris had six children with Fred from 1953-59, ending on a high note with twins. In 1964, while visiting Iris' parents in CA, Fred found a job prospect at the Press Telegram in Long Beach. The couple decided to move there and set out cross-country with 6 kids in a car. There, Iris raised her large family while working at Berkey/Colorcraft/Qualex photo labs where she eventually retired in 1995. Iris spent her later years volunteering with church, spending time with her grandchildren, golfing with her husband, and traveling. She loved reading, gambling and playing video games. The two also bought a new house in Corona which became the hub of all family activities. Sadly, at just 59, Iris lost her husband Fred to cancer. She stayed on in Corona for a decade living with her daughter Donna and her 2 grandchildren. She continued to travel and spend time with her friends and family. In 2002 Iris moved to Boulder City, NV to spend time with her parents during their final years before their passing in 2003 & 2005. Iris also opened her home to friend (and son-in-law's mother) Carol Kumpf, who lived and traveled with Iris and her mother. Iris moved back to CA in 2008 to spend her final years with her family. She lived with her daughter and son-in-law, Luann and Tom Johnson. There she celebrated her milestone 80th year with a party surrounded by all of her relatives and friends from the past. She traveled with family on cruises and road trips and celebrated holidays cooking dishes for everyone with her classic southern recipes. While she is no longer with us now, we feel her presence around us in all we do. Whether it's a photograph, a story, a song or a laugh. She is joining Fred in eternity and and will be interned at Forest Lawn Cypress. Iris is preceded in death by her husband Fred, parents Fulton and Bessie Furr and brother Arnold Furr. She is survived by her 6 children: Donna Andrade (Vince), Tom Kellis (Lisa), Luann Johnson (Tom), Kathy Kumpf (Denny), Don Kellis (Felicia) and Ron Kellis (Joyce); 13 grandchildren: Erika, Chris, Tommy, Tahnee, Kory, Jeanie, Jennifer, Wyatt, Tracy, Blu', Shianne, Jessica and Robby; 15 great-grandchildren with 1 great-grandchild and 1 great-great grandchild on the way.