Ernest Melvin Kelley, 81, Lanett Navy Veteran Dies

Ernest Melvin Kelley, a U.S. Navy veteran who served Lanett through the American Legion and Lions Club, died May 28 at Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center in LaGrange. He was 81.

Born July 10, 1942, in Langdale to Ernest A. Kelley and Mary Ruth Pike Kelley, he spent his life in the Chattahoochee Valley. He worshiped at Fairfax United Methodist Church for decades and remained active in veteran and civic organizations.

A graveside service will be held Thursday, May 30, at 11 a.m. at Fairfax Cemetery. Rev. Rusty Hall will officiate. Friends may gather at the graveside following the service.

Kelley's wife Mary Lou, brother Larry, and sister Dianne Kirby preceded him in death.

He is survived by children Jeff Kelley and his wife Lisa, and Melissa Hall and her husband Rusty; grandchildren Jessica Harris and her husband Taylor, Justin Kelley and his wife Tori, and Jacob Hall; and great-grandchildren Ryleigh Harris, Tucker Harris, and Kinsley Kelley.

Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home of Lanett is directing arrangements. The family requests donations to the American Heart Association or American Diabetes Association in lieu of flowers. An online guest book is available at johnsonbrownservicefh.com.