REV. ROBERT D. KELLEY

KELLEY, REV. ROBERT D. - age 85 of Niota. Passed away Sunday, December 7, 2014, in Life Care Center of Athens. Rev. Kelley was a native of Knoxville, TN resident of McMinn County since 1969, a son of the late William R. and Mary Lou Mann Kelley and preceded in death by his wife Shirley Ann Trentham Kelley on; daughter Susan Yvette Kelley Knight; son Robert Darrell Kelley; three sisters: Mildred Nicely, Bernice Wallace, Betty McGuire; two brothers: William R. Kelley and Herman Kelley. Rev. Kelley was an ordained minister having graduated from Wingate College in Wingate, North Carolina, Queens College in Charlotte, North Carolina and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. His ministry lead him to serve at First Baptist Church of Niota, Concord Baptist Church and Lakeside Baptist Church both in Meigs County, Kingston Baptist Church in Kingston, GA, Charleston Baptist Church in Charleston, Lucas Grove Baptist Church in Kentucky, Euto Baptist Church in Marshall, North Carolina and is currently a member of North Athens Baptist Church. He was a veteran of World War II having served in the U. S. Marine Corps. Rev. Kelley also was an employee of H. T. Hackney Co. for 13 years and J. Ben Forrest Furniture Co. in Niota for 13 years. Survivors: granddaughter and husband Holly Aleese and Michael Day of Niota; grandson Matthew Knight of Niota; three great grandchildren: Riley Clendenen, Jenna Knight, and Jude Knight; several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be 8:00 P.M. Wednesday in the Chapel of Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home with Dr. Bob Kerr and Rev. Oran Creasman officiating. Graveside services will be 11:00 A.M. Thursday in Niota Cemetery. Those wishing may make memorial contributions to Southern Baptist Mission Program, c/o First Baptist Church of Niota, Niota, TN. 37826. The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 Wednesday in the funeral home. Those unable to attend may send condolences at www.laycock-hobbs.com. Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home, Athens, Tn. in charge of arrangements.