September 2, 1943 ~ May 7, 2026 (age 82)
Ernest “Melvin” Kelley, 82, of Lanett, passed away at home on Thursday, May 7, 2026. He was born in Crenshaw County to Ernest Paten and Maurine Holley Kelley. He was the grandson of Edwin Jackson and Vestula Fowler Kelley and of Powell J. and Minnie Irene Martin Holley, all of Crenshaw County.
He studied business administration and accounting at Troy University and earned a B.S. degree in 1967. He was employed with West Point Pepperell, Inc. and its successor companies for 35 years. He began as an accountant in the consumer products division and later was manager of advertising budgets and royalties administration. After retirement, he established and managed Kelley’s Cabinet Shop, LLC, where he enjoyed crafting fine custom cabinetry and furniture. He was an active member of Fredonia Methodist Church for more than 20 years and served as church treasurer.
Melvin is survived by his devoted wife of 25 years, Betty Kelley; his daughter, Lisa Kelley (Ashley) of Auburn; his stepchildren, Debbie Smith (Chris) of LaGrange and Sam Harris (Mandy) of Sylacauga; his grandchildren, Kate, Ben, Timothy (Kristi), Krysta (Trevor), and Keaton; and his great-grandchildren, Hudson, Henry, Hollis, Addi, and Apollo. He is also survived by his sister, Sandra Beverly (David); his brother, Gene Kelley; and several nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Jerry Kelley; and his cherished grandson, Adam Smith.
Melvin was formerly a member of the Heart of Dixie Sportsman Club in the Fairfax community, where he enjoyed bird dog field trialing. He also enjoyed golfing through the years, and he and his father were once serious domino players. Most recently, he treasured time spent with family, including his church family, and enjoyed dining in his favorite eateries and shopping with his wife in local stores, where he never met a stranger.
Melvin will be remembered for his playful sense of humor, his love for Alabama football, and grilling the best steaks, burgers, and hotdogs for all the people he loved and cared about. Above all, he will be remembered as a loving husband, devoted father, and proud grandfather. If Melvin were writing this himself, he would most definitely ask you to do him one favor – and then with a warm smile on his face, tell you to Have a Blessed Day.
Visitation will be held at Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home in Valley, AL on Saturday, May 9th, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. ET with funeral services beginning in the Johnson Brown-Service Valley Chapel at 2:00 p.m. ET. Graveside services will follow at Meadoway Gardens Cemetery in Lagrange, GA. Pastor Jimmy McMillian will officiate.
Please visit Melvin’s Memorial Tribute page at www.johnsonbrownservicefh.com to leave a kind word for his family, to share a memory of Melvin, or to light a Remembrance Candle in his memory.
Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home of Valley directing.
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