12/28/1931 – 04/26/2026
Johnnie Merle Kelley Harrelson, 94, passed away on April 26, 2026, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident (because nothing else could have taken her out)
Granny, as she was known to friends and family alike, was born on December 28th 1931, to Velma Frazier Kelley and Walter S Kelley in Covington County, Alabama. She graduated from Opp High School in 1950 as valedictorian and went on to attend Florida State University and Troy State Teachers College (now Troy University), where she graduated with honors. She has now been reunited with her childhood sweetheart, Charles Hollis Harrelson, Jr., whom she married in 1955 after he returned from serving in the Korean War because, according to her, “he might not have come back.” They had three children, Rose Anne Johnston (Ken), Rachel Alice Harrelson, and Charles “Mandy” Hollis Harrelson, III.
Granny taught middle school math for 36 years which qualified her for sainthood in the eyes of many and was remembered for bossing her students around despite her very small stature. Granny loved all sports, particularly basketball, and could always be found cheering for any professional team intelligent enough to draft players from Auburn University. She was lifelong member of the church of Christ and most recently a beloved member of the Richmond church of Christ where she not only faithfully attended but also assisted with the art class at Little Hands Preschool until this current year. Her granddaughters, Lee Pence (Christopher), Lindsey Harrelson, Jessica Madden (Michael), Hannah Harrelson, and Rebekah Harrelson remember her with overwhelming love, especially for her dramatic readings of “There’s a Monster at the End of this Book” and for the day when they were finally taller than her. While she loved her children and adored her grandchildren, Granny was completely enamored with her great grandchildren who have never done anything wrong in their entire lives and obviously deserved a little something sweet no matter the time of day or proximity to dinner. Ainsley, Kodi, Ella, Elsie & Kennley, Cameron, Joel, Emmett, Tyler, Kellie, Logan, and Emory were privileged to have been fed, read to, played with, and most importantly spoiled by the very best (great) Granny in the whole world.
In addition to her husband and son, Granny was proceeded in death by siblings Joel Kelley, Evelyn Kelley Maddox (Fred), Clara Kelley Taylor (James), Arva Nell Sandars (Red), Carl Kelley (Linda), and her special cousin, Florine Kelley. She is survived by her brother, Reginald Kelley (Betty) of Opp, Alabama.
Visitation will be at Combs, Parson & Collins Funeral Home in Richmond, KY on Wednesday, April 29th, from 5pm until 7pm.
Funeral Services will be at the Richmond Church of Christ on Thursday, April 30th, 2026. Services will begin at 3pm with a visitation beforehand at 2pm. All are encouraged to wear bright colors (especially Granny’s favorite color pink) because she never liked any of us to wear “that drab old black.”
A graveside service will take place in Auburn, Alabama on Saturday, May 2nd at 10am at Memorial Park Cemetery, in Auburn, Alabama.
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