MARION KELLY

Funeral services for Marion Kelly will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, June 6, 2024, at Orangehill AME Church, 3035 S.C. 261, Wedgefield, with the Rev. Wallace Preston, pastor, officiating, and Elder Albert Kelly as the eulogist. The public may view on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, from 1-5 p.m. at Palmer Memorial Chapel, 304 S. Main St., Sumter. Interment will follow in the Orangehill AME Church cemetery.
Marion Kelly, 97, transitioned on Sunday, June 2, 2024, in Columbia. He was born in Sumter County to the late Robert Kelly and Janie Benjamin Kelly in Wedgefield, and he attended the public schools of Wedgefield.
He was married to the late Martha Ann Wright Kelly for 67 years. They were the proud parents of 12 children and raised 10.
He was a lifelong member of Orangehill AME Church, Wedgefield, where he served faithfully in many capacities and was named the oldest member.
He attended Refuge Temple Church regularly while residing with his daughter in Columbia. At the age of 88, he was baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ by his son, Elder Albert Kelly. His favorite hobby was playing baseball, in addition to watching "Matlock," "Ironside" and "In the Heat of the Night." He served in the U.S. Army in WWII. As a civilian, he was an avid farmer along with his wife and children. He was also well known and respected in his community. He was employed with Sumter Steel Plant, a civilian worker at Shaw Air Force Base and finally retired as a landscaper. He was also a member of the Manchester Masonic Lodge #143 for many years.
He was preceded in death by sons, retired 1st Sgt. Johnnie L. Kelly and York Kelly; brother, Samuel Kelly; sister, Louise Snow; three grands, Johnnie Kelly Jr., Tyrone Kelly and Martha Kelly affectionately called “MeMe”; sisters-in-law, Dr. Earlene Walker Kelly, Glade Kelly and Sarah Kelly; brothers-in-law, the Rev. Dixon, Leroy Boston, Snow, Braxton and Whittaker.
He is survived by: his children, Marion Kelly Jr. of Brooklyn New York, Frank (Brenda) Kelly, Albert (Imogene) Kelly , James (Edith) Kelly, all of Wedgefield, Melvin Kelly, Rosa K. Bowie, Sadie Brown and Edna (Anthony) Yarborough, all of Columbia; brothers, Clifton Kelly and Albertus Kelly, both of Columbia, James Kelly of Sumter and Will (Betty) Kelly of Freehold, New Jersey; sisters, Viola Braxton of Jacksonville Florida, Leola Whittaker and Mary Boston, both of Sumter, Leila Mae Dixon of Columbia; 23 grandchildren; 38 great-grands; seven great-great grands; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and his church family.