Henry "Ray" Kelly

Henry Ray Kelly, 80 of 242 Strutton Lane in Eden, passed away late Saturday afternoon at Morehead Memorial Hospital. 

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 Am on Wednesday, November 9, 2016 in Fair Funeral Home Chapel.  Interment will follow the service in Overlook Cemetery with full military graveside rites.

Mr. Kelly was born in Leaksville on March 29, 1936 to the late Henry Beach Kelly and Willie Hudgins Kelly.  He was a 1954 graduate of Leaksville High School.  Ray served his country proudly in the United States Army.  While serving in the Army, Ray received the Army Commendation Medal with 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster, Vietnam Service Medal, Bronze Star with 1st Oakleaf cluster, Meritorious Service Metal, Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device and Good Conduct Medal awards.  After serving for 20 years, Ray retired from the Army in 1974.  He was a member of the American Legion Post #254, VFW Post #8297, past President of the Rockingham County Veterans Park Association for 15 years, served as Commander of The Rockingham County Veterans Honor Guard for 17 years and was a member of DAV Chapter #63.  Ray was of the Primitive Baptist faith and attended Wolf Island Primitive Baptist Church in Reidsville.

Ray is survived by his wife, Norma Meeks Kelly of the home; his sons, David Kelly and wife Donna of Holly Spring, NC and Jimmy Lemons and wife Vicki of Bedford County, VA; special children, David and Maria Turner and his darling little Katelyn; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; sister, Barbara Kelly McLendon and husband, Roy of Eden, NC; sister-in-law, Lois Horsley; and his Honor Guard family.

Along with his parents he is preceded in death by his first wife, Marian McGuire Kelly; his brothers, Joe Mack Kelly, Ned Holliman and wife, Lynn, Clyde Holliman, and Ted Holliman; sisters, Gaynelle Martin and Willie Dot Blackburn; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 7 – 9 PM at Fair Funeral Home and other times at the residence.

At Mr. Kelly’s request memorial contributions may be made to either the Rockingham County Veterans Honor Guard; 118 Laurell Dr., Eden, NC  27288 or the Rockingham County Veterans Park Association; 155 Hamlett Way, Reidsville, NC  27320.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.fairfuneralhome.com .