FERRIDAY — Services for Roger Kelly, 67, of Tupelo, who died Tuesday, April 14, 2009, at Oak Manor Healthcare Center in McKenzie, Tenn., after a lengthy illness, will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Young’s Funeral Home with the Rev. Bo Swilley and the Rev. Wayne Gray officiating.
Burial will follow at Rogers Cemetery in Clayton under the direction of Young’s Funeral Home in Ferriday. There will not be a graveside service.
Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Mr. Kelly was born Aug. 12, 1941, in Archibald, La., the son of Clyde and Etta Kelly. He was a member of West Jackson Street Baptist Church in Tupelo. He taught a fourth grade Sunday school class for several years. Mr. Kelly was a Navy veteran and very patriotic.
He worked for Union National Life Insurance Company for 30 years and was a district manager for 17 years. He enjoyed music, hunting, fishing, all sports and people. He was an avid Louisiana State University fan. He loved participating in activities with his family.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Diane Boyd; one nephew, Tony Watson; and adopted father, Alvin Holcomb.
Survivors include his wife of 45 years, Jerri Kelly; one daughter, Evette Lange of Bentonville, Ark.; one son, Chip Kelly and wife, Michelle, of St. Louis; one sister, Brenda Cain and husband, John, of Ferriday; adopted mother, Louise Holcomb of Tupelo; three sisters-in-law and two brothers-in-law, Kay Jenkins and husband, Winston, and Ada Finn, all of Natchez, and Barbara Brasher and husband, James, of Ferriday; three grandchildren, Kelly Lange, Mallory Lange and Hunter McKee; six nieces; seven nephews; one uncle, Fred Spencer and wife, Bonnie, of Mangham, La.; a special cousin, Glen Davis, a number of great-nieces and nephews; a number of great-great-nieces and nephews; and a number of cousins.
Pallbearers will be Bill Colvin, Neil Faulkner, Jack Lofton, Manson Nelson Jr., Paul Riggs, William Seyfath, Kenneth Watson and Lane Watson.
Honorary pallbearers will be Hiram Copeland, H.L. Irvin, Charles Massey, Billy Rucker, Glen McGlothin and Ferriday Bulldogs Class of 1959.
Memorials may be made to the children’s choir at Cliff Temple Baptist Church, 204 Spokane Road, Natchez, MS 39120.
Online condolences may be sent to www.youngsfh.com.