Kelli Jeanette Lipe, 54, passed away surrounded by family in the early hours of July 7, 2024 at her home in Port Charlotte, Florida after a courageous 6 year long battle with cancer.

Kelli is survived by her loving mother, travel buddy, and best friend, Mary Lynne Robinette Lipe of Port Charlotte, FL, and father, Charles Gale Lipe of Rogersville, TN; Aunt Tracey Paden and husband Ralph of Knoxville, TN;  Uncle Frank Seabolt of Bowie, MD; Georgia cousins Clint and wife Katie Paden, Agnes, Caroline, and Leonard; Tennessee twin cousins Kathryn Paden and Patricia Paden; Maryland cousins, Robbie Long and husband Dan; Brendan Long and wife Brittany, Susana; Jordan Long and fiancé Ashleigh; Jeffrey Seabolt and wife, Robin, Jacob; Joseph Seabolt and wife, Lori from North Carolina.

Kelli was preceded in death by her grandparents, Luther and Mary Candace Robinette, Aunt Patsy Robinette Seabolt, and special cousin, Jeanette Carter.

In addition to blood relatives, Kelli had “framily” members who supported and loved her for her entire life, June Tilson and daughter Felicia, as well as very special friends, Patrick and Fuzz, the Rogersville “tribe”: Caryn, Marti, Kim, Carla, Wendy, Christy, Jenny, Mollie, Michelle, Tommy, and the countless number of Kelli’s friends, students, and cohorts in Port Charlotte, FL, who loved and supported Kelli so well.

Kelli was born in Kingsport, TN, on March 3, 1970; a graduate of Cherokee High School (Rogersville, TN) in 1988, she continued her higher education at Tennessee Wesleyan College with a B.A. in Psychology. She received her Masters of Education from Milligan College.

After moving to Port Charlotte, FL in the late 90’s, Kelli taught English and Journalism at Charlotte High School, where she spent many hours of teaching, coaching, and advising hundreds of students during her time there; outside of the classroom, Kelli was also the cheerleading coach, yearbook sponsor, coordinator of several school trips to Europe, and advocated for her fellow employees as a union leader.

Kelli was an avid traveler; Hawaii, Europe, and the East Tennessee mountains were among her favorite places, as well as any town to attend a rock concert. Aside from teaching and traveling, Kelli loved reading, cooking, entertaining friends, and music, particularly 80’s rock. Kelli was a fighter, loved fiercely, and lived life to its absolute fullest. Even while battling cancer, her love and loyalty toward her family and friends never wavered, and her illness never slowed her down. Her courage, spunk, and smile left lasting impressions on everyone, and she will be greatly missed.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time, but a gathering of family and friends in Rogersville, TN will be set at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested in Kelli’s memory to Breast Connect, Inc., P.O. Box 9688, Knoxville, TN 37940.

Arrangements are by Roberson Funeral Home & Crematory Port Charlotte Chapel. Friends may visit online at www.robersonfh.com to extend condolences to the family.