Clarine Kellam, age 70, was born on April 15, 1955, in Lamesa, Texas, to W.R. Dollar and Dorothy Rhine. She passed away on March 23, 2026.
Clarine attended school in Lewisville, Texas, where she met and married her high school sweetheart, Ronald “Ronny” Wayne Kellam Sr., in 1970. A devoted wife, Clarine traveled the world with Ronny as they were stationed at Dyess AFB, the Philippines, and the Azores, returning to Dyess in 1989.
Right before Ronny retired from the Air Force, Clarine discovered her calling as a funeral director. She attended the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service while managing life with a husband in the service and three boys at home. After graduating, she served her apprenticeship at Starbuck Funeral Home in Merkel, Texas. Clarine and Ronny made their final move to Brownwood, Texas, in 1996, where Ronny retired and Clarine became a full-time funeral director. Clarine began her career at Davis-Morris Funeral Home, spending some time there before moving to Heartland Funeral Home. She later returned to Davis-Morris, managing the location for a couple of years. Tired of having bosses, she decided to become her own. Clarine was a co-owner of Heartland Funeral Home for several years until 2012, when they chose to retire and they sold the business. Clarine’s impact extended beyond Brownwood and Early; she served as treasurer for the Texas Funeral Commission. She also cherished attending annual funeral directors’ conventions, where she met countless funeral directors from around the world, though most were here in Texas.
Clarine enjoyed shopping, sewing, attending church, gardening, fishing with her brothers, watching her favorite television shows, and spending time with family. She especially loved taking trips with her grandchildren. Above all, she cherished her time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Anyone who knew her could tell that she rarely used their given names; each grandchild had a special nickname from Clarine. She, too, had a special name, given to her by her first granddaughter, Kristen. Everyone knew Clarine by: “Gramie.”
Clarine is survived by her three sons: Ron Kellam Jr. and his wife Tara, J.D. Kellam and his wife Karah, and Jason Kellam; eight grandchildren: Kristen Kellam and husband Mike, Kyndle Alderman and husband Gavin, Kane Kellam and wife Hannah, Kaden, Aaron, Crawford, Davin, Bellamy, J.J., and the newest grand baby Redmond. Five great-grandchildren: Taytum, Karter, K’lynn, Kash, and Kynzley. She is also survived by her mother, Dorothy “Ninnie” Rhine; brothers Wayne Dollar and wife Kris, and their children Flint, Kirk, Chad, and Tim; Dale Dollar and wife Shawn, and their children Heath, Naomi, and Misty; brother-in-law Tom Kellam and wife Ruth; sisters-in-law Rhonda Armando and husband John, Lisa Kay Shirk and husband Brian, Deanna Reilly and husband Steve, and Joanna Striegel and husband Jerry; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
Clarine is preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Ronald “Ronny” Kellam Sr., father W.R. Dollar, stepfather Farrell “Papa” Rhine, in-laws Tom Richard and Helen Burris Kellam, sister-in-law Gladys “Sissie”.
A celebration of life will be held on April 3, 2026, at Brownwood Funeral Home, beginning at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to Clarine’s home church, Haven of Hope. 2202 West Center, Brownwood, Tx, 76801. Arrangements are under the direction of Brownwood Funeral Home.
