April 7, 1948 ~ April 3, 2026 (age 77)
Lee Roy Kelley was the younger brother of Mary Jean Darnell, and the son of William Roy Kelley and Viola Louise (Potts) Kelley, born on April 7th, 1948, in Langdale, Alabama. He passed away on Friday, April 3rd, 2026, surrounded by his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, their families, and his dog at the Bethany House at the young age of 77.
Mr. Kelley served 2 years in the U.S. Marine Corps. He served in the First Marine Division, First Tank Battalion, Company B, as a tank crewman. He received two Purple Hearts, as well as numerous other commendations, while in Vietnam.
After the war, Mr. Kelley went to work for the City of Opelika as a firefighter. He rose to the rank of Assistant Chief before retiring with 25+ years of service. He joined the Beulah Volunteer Fire Department in the mid to late 1970’s and was promoted to Chief in 1988. As Chief, he elevated the status of the department from fully volunteer to a combination of paid/volunteer before he retired in 2012.
Also known as “Paw Paw,” Lee Roy loved his wife of 52 years, Shirley, (also known as Naw Naw), his family, and his dog, Mae, more than anything in the world. He stayed busy, as he preferred, until his final days. Giving advice, helping everyone around him to the best of his abilities, and playing poker and dominoes with his friends multiple times a week. You could always count on him when you needed him, even if it included borrowing one of his many “Alabama” T-shirts. (As long as you got it back to him of course. Alabama football was very serious in his household.) He was a strong and tough man, but to his loved one he was the kindest and most caring man in the world. He was known to the little ones for his “Donald Duck” voice, his magic tricks, and his jokes. His children and grandchildren are privileged to have so many special memories of time spent with him.
Lee Roy was preceded in death by his loving wife, Shirley Dianne (Thompson) Kelley, his parents William Roy Kelley and Viola Louise (Potts) Kelley; His sister, Jean Darnell; One nephew, David Darnell (Jill); And one great niece, Abbey Darnell.
Lee Roy is survived by his two children: Gerald Kelley (Charlotte), and Karen Ingram (Billy); Five grandchildren: Piper McCrary (Ben), Parker Mahadeo (Miki), Pryce Alley (Perry), Owen Kelley, and Jebediah Kelley; Three great-grandchildren, Posie Alley, Paislee Alley, and Jimmy McCrary; Four nephews: Shane Thompson (Beverly), Josh McCary, Jonathon “JP” McCary, and Kelley Darnell; One great niece, Grace Darnell; And six great nephews: Christian McCary, Gabriel McCary, Benjamin Darnell, Thomas Darnell, Daniel Darnell, and Jack Darnell.
Whether you knew him as Lee Roy, Mr. Kelley, or Paw Paw, you knew him to be an extremely respectable and kind man. He will be missed immeasurably.
Services will be held at the Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home on Thursday April 9th. Viewing will begin at 10:00 am, and services will begin at 11:00 am (CST) with grave side interment immediately following at Hephzibah Cemetery. Lee Roy’s son, Gerald Kelley, will officiate.
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