Richard Paul Kelley

Richard leaves to cherish his memory his wife Amanda (Dyer) Kelley, Mother Vesta D. Kelley, children Aaron Kelley, Kayla Kelley-Burch (Christopher), and Richard A. Kelley, sister Lelia R. Kelley, and brother Raymond A. Kelley (Que Anh Ngo), and ten grandchildren.

His blended family blessed him with a loving, dedicated wife, unselfish companionship, three children, Dakota Sims, Dashaun Sims, and Cheyanne Sims, and six grandchildren.

Richard was born in Huntington, WV. He made Anderson his home as a teenager. Richard took great pride in being a "big brother" to his siblings and an unwavering uncle to his nieces. To his wife he was her best friend, her rock and safe place; to his children he was their hero and motivator. To his siblings he was always the biggest man standing in any room, to his nieces he was their second dad, and to his mother he was her first-born and a self-made man. To his grandchildren he was papaw.

Richard was an avid photographer taking a host of photos of people and places throughout Anderson. He most enjoyed photographing his grandchildren and the natural beauty of God's creations. He was a collector of Anderson memorabilia and enjoyed talking about his rare finds. Richard loved and trusted his Lord and Savior and among his most cherished finds was his personal relationship with God, his church family and home at Bethany Christian Church, and the youth athletes he coached in football and wrestling. Being Coach Kelley and walking his faith with his wife were among the great joys of his life.

Richard attended Madison Heights High School and relished in being a Pirate and engaging in Pirate-Indian-Scot rivalry. Throughout the years he coached the Highland High School and Middle School football teams, North Side Middle School football team, and Anderson City Park and Recreation Youth football team. Richard was employed by the City of Anderson for 27 years working as a foreman for the Water Pollution Control Department after leaving the Madison County Highway Department.

Richard was a family man always standing in dedication to his wife, children, mother, grandchildren, and siblings. He extended his dedication to his village of cousins, uncles and aunts. Richard was proud to learn of his African ancestry and of the Tikar people of Cameroon, Africa. He was a hard worker, loyal friend, and he gave his time, talent, and treasure selflessly. Richard believed that charity began at home, and he lived through that creed. He left our family better, stronger, and more loving because of him.

He is preceded in death by his nephew Ronnie Jones Jr., grandparents Lelia and Jessie Glover Huntington, W.V., Grandmother Nelly Kelly New York, NY, and special aunt and uncle Robert and Catherine Williams of Huntington W.V. special cousins and Godparents Kenny and Catherine Taylor of Ferrel P.A. Uncles James Kelly of Los Angeles CA and Raymond Kelly of Plainfield New Jersey, and Aunt Margie (Kelly) Page of Manassas VA., special cousins Patricia and Terry Jones, Columbus, OH, and special friend-consult Alfonzo “Big Al” Johnson of Anderson, IN.

Poverty became his prosperity, hunger became his food, his simplicity became his complexity, and his love for family and community were big beyond him. At last, he got to see his legacy, ensured, enshrined, and in good hands. He dared to live and he dared to surrender all to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

"And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore you, secure you, strengthen you, and establish you." 1 Peter 5:10.

L. C. May Funeral Services and Staff would like to extend our sincere condolences to the family.

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