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 his children, Dalton Blankenship (Norman) of Honea Path, Marty Kelley of Honea Path, and Gemma Kelley of Honea Path, grandchildren, Jessica Ervin (Rodney), and Joshua Blankenship (Mandy), great grandchildren, Jessica Ervin, Etta Blankenship, and Moses Blankenship, and a 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 Blanch K. Stanton.

Memorial services will be announced and held at a later date. 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. Online condolences may be made at www.ParkerWhitePruitt.com