R. Stewart Kelly Sr.

1918 - June 16, 2019

MR. RALPH STEWART KELLY, SR., age 101, of Chauncey, GA, died Sunday, June 16, 2019 at Dogwood Gardens Senior Living in Eastman.

Obituary for R. Stewart Kelly Sr.

MR. RALPH STEWART KELLY, SR., age 101, of Chauncey, GA, died Sunday, June 16, 2019 at Dogwood Gardens Senior Living in Eastman.

 Funeral services will be held at 11:00AM Tuesday, June 18, at Southerland Funeral Chapel, with Pastor Dahl McDermitt, Jr, Rev. Graton Helms, and Rev. Donnie Swanson officiating, with interment in Chauncey City Cemetery.

 Mr. Kelly was born in Chauncey, a member of Chauncey United Methodist Church, a graduate of Chauncey High School, attended Brewton Parker College and Middle Georgia College, and was a lifelong farmer for the Kelly Family Farm. He was a dedicated husband, a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great-grandfather who enjoyed family gatherings and fish fries. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, enjoyed gardening under his wife’s supervision, and was a member of the Dodge County Board of Education for many years and the Chairman during the consolidation of the Dodge County Schools. He was son of the late Ola Stewart Kelly and Ralph B. Kelly, widower of his wife of 72 years, Martha Jones Kelly, and was preceded in death by 5 Siblings, Robert Kelly, Alfred Kelly, Jane Herring, Elizabeth Minter, and Mollie Sue Parkerson.

 Survivors: 5 Daughters – Saralyn Kelly Entrekin (Marshall) of Eatonton, Brinda Kelly Stanley of Chauncey, Linda Kelly Covington (Melton) of Thomasville, Kerry Kelly Graham (Wayne), and Jan Kelly Loyd (Frankie) both of Chauncey; 2 Sons – Ralph Stewart Kelly, Jr. (Gloria) of Dublin and John Caswell Kelly (Linda) of Chauncey; 23 Grandchildren – Stephen L. Shepherd (Joan), Candace M. Swilley (Gary), Brian K. Shepherd (Amy), Heather J. Shepherd, Chad S. Kelly (Robin), Dane H. Kelly (Robin), Karla K. Reid (Sammy), Stephanie K. Drake (Tim), John C. Kelly, Jr. (Chrisa), Jess B. Kelly (Beth), Kim S. Peterson (Petey), Jill S. Studstill (Mark) Jodi S. Brewer (Travis), Jason E. Stanley (Lara), Shannon C. Hortman (Ken), Russ M. Covington (Christy), Shea C. McDougald (Erik), Jordan C. Taylor (Jacob), Kennon W. Graham (Brooke), Kelly G. Gray, Jamie Loyd (Shann), Jana L. Owen (Josh), and Jenica L. Sheffield (Jamie); 53 Great-Grandchildren; 7 Great-Great-Grandchildren; 3 Sisters – Janet Kelly Wade of Douglas, Lois Kelly Meadows of New Mexico, and Joyce Kelly Bland of Chauncey; 2 Sisters-in-Law – Louise Kelly and Katurah Kelly both of Chauncey; Caretaker – Lillian Stansberry; Numerous Nieces and Nephews.

 The family may be contacted at the residence of Kerry and Wayne Graham, 117 North Railroad Avenue, Chauncey, and will receive friends in Southerland Funeral Chapel from 6:00PM-8:00PM Monday, June 17. In lieu of flowers, the family request contributions to the Methodist Children’s Home or St. Jude’s Children Research Foundation.


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