Born in Pickens County, he was a son of the late Charlie Hoke and Carrie Waters Kelley. He was active in Church where he taught Sunday School Class for over 70 years, the last 38 years at Trinity United Methodist Church of Honea Path. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, World War II having served in the Pacific Theater.  He was a retired salesman who later returned to his first love, teaching special needs children at Belton Middle School.

Surviving are a daughter, Dalton Blankenship (Norman) of Honea Path, grandchildren, Jessica Ervin (Rodney), and Joshua Blankenship (Mandy), three great grandchildren, Jessica Ervin, Etta Blankenship, and Moses Blankenship, and a great great granddaughter, Addyson Butler.

He was pre-deceased by his parents, Charlie and Carrie, his wife of 75 years, Mildred, brothers, Lloyd, Hoke, Roy, and Bruce Kelley, and sisters, Betty Kelley and Blanche K. Stanton. Since his death, the family has also lost his son, Marty Kelley, and his daughter, Gemma Kelley.

Memorial services will be held at 2 P.M. Sunday, October 24, 2021 at Trinity United Methodist Church with Rev. Megan Boatwright and Rev. Gayle Beaudrot officiating. The family requests that memorial donations be made in honor of his service in the Navy to the DAV, 1301 East Greenville Street, Anderson, SC 29621.