Kelly Scott Perdue

Kelly Scott Perdue, 45, of Albemarle County, died Thursday, Dec. 15, 2005, of a heart attack, at his residence.

Born Aug. 26, 1960, in Washington, D.C. he was one of four children of Charles L. Perdue and Nancy J. Martin-Perdue of Twymans Mill, Madison County, Va. Kelly was predeceased by his identical twin, Kevin Barry Perdue, on Dec. 3, 1979.

Kelly graduated from Rappahannock County High School in 1978. In 1983 he graduated from Piedmont Community College with a degree in respiratory therapy and worked in that capacity for several years with Martha Jefferson Hospital. He returned to school and received a B.A. degree in chemistry from the University of Virginia, and a Doctorate in Pharmacy from Virginia Commonwealth University. He was employed from 1997 until his death by Martha Jefferson Hospital where he served as a clinical pharmacist in MJH associated Family Practices in Orange, Madison, Crozet, Forest Lakes and Stanardsville. He was a member of the American Society of Health System Phamacists, as well as the Virginia Branch of that organization.

Music was inevitably a part of Kelly's life, he and his twin Kevin attended their first hootenany in Washington, D.C. at the age of three months, and he was deeply influenced by the music of his parents who, in addition to singing around the house all the time, performed traditional music in coffee houses and at festivals on the east coast.

From the age of four years, Kelly gained some of his musical influences from Rappahannock County bluesman and songster, John Jackson, and his family, who were friends with the Perdue family for over 40 years.

Kelly decided on the mandolin as his preferred instrument; although, he ultimately became proficient on guitar, fiddle, and other instruments. Throughout high school he played mandolin with his twin, Kevin, who played banjo. After Kevin's death, Kelly played with numerous individuals and groups until, in 1989, he and several friends formed the band, Mando Mafia.

That group consisted of Kelly, Rick Friend, Pete Marshall, Bill Giltinan, and Vaughan Mairs. The band , and Kelly as an individual musician, have won awards at several festivals on the east coast, and one of their CD's was given an award by the French magazine, "Tradicion."

Kelly is survived by his wife of 24 years, Elizabeth Steel-Perdue and two sons, Benjamin Tipton Perdue and Daniel Walton Perdue; his parents, Charles L. Perdue and Nancy Martin-Perdue of Twymans Mill, Madison County; two brothers,Marc Charles Perdue and his wife, Anne, and their daughters, Kathryn and Theresa, of Crozet; and Martin Clay Perdue and his wife, Susan Holbrook, and their two daughters, Emily and Sarah, of Lake Monticello.

Survivors also include Kelly's in-laws, Joseph Steel and his wife, Kay, of Ormond Beach, Fla.; and brother-inlaw, Joseph Steel III and his wife, Lynne, of Herndon, Va.

Kelly will be sorely missed by his professional friends; by the musical community; and most of all by his family.

Family visitations will be held from 2 to 4 p.m., Sunday afternoon, Dec. 18, 2005, and 6 to 8 p.m., Monday evening, Dec. 19, 2005, at the Preddy Funeral Home, Madison.

A private graveside service will be held at the Perdue's Family Cemetery at Twymans Mill the following day.