Reverend Thomas Ray Kelley, 81, of Valdosta, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 16. Rev. Kelley was born on Oct. 27, 1936 in Valdosta, to the late Walter Ray Kelley and Monette Tadlock Kelley.
Rev. Kelley was a graduate of Greenville High School, in Greenville. He also attended North Florida Junior College and Luther Rice Seminary. Rev. Kelley served various churches in Madison, Lowndes and Brooks counties. Most recently, he served as interim pastor at New Home Baptist Church. Rev. Kelley spent over 25 years in the missionary fields building churches in Haiti, Dominican Republic, Venezuela and South Caicos. He had a special place in his heart for the people of Haiti. Rev. Kelley was the Director of the E.C. Tyner Youth Camp at Pickett Lake, Fl. for many years, touching the lives of many young people.
Rev. Kelley was well-known throughout the community for his love and compassion. He was a loving father, husband, grandfather and great-grandfather. He loved to fish and fix old grandfather clocks.
Kelley was preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters: Jessie Lee (Ernest) Blanton and Anna Lois (Bully) Simpson.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Sandra Penn Kelley, of Valdosta; three daughters: Lisa Kae (Gary) Phelps-Dorris, Gina Rae (Jamie) Shiver and Mona Lea Ann Kelley, all of Valdosta; two granddaughters: Kelly Phelps (Travis) Parker and Jamie Lea Ann Shiver, of Atlanta; four grandsons: Allan Thomas Phelps, of Valdosta; Justin (Sherry Okum) Dorris, of Tupelo, Ms.; Tyler Dorris, of Lake City; and Christopher Shiver, of Valdosta; four great-granddaughters: Raeley Kae Parker, Kaitlyn Shiver and Lela Faye Parker, all of Valdosta, and Rose Tyler Dorris, of Lake City; two great-grandsons: Timothy Parker and Jakob Shiver, both of Valdosta; and two sisters: Mary Louise Palmer, of Wellborn, and Monette Brooks, of Ray City, Ga.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Jan. 20, at 11 a.m., at Redland Baptist Church, in Valdosta. Burial will follow at Concord Cemetery, in Greenville. Visitation will be held on Friday, Jan. 19, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Beggs Funeral Home, in Madison. Beggs Funeral Home, in Madison is in charge of the arrangements.