Ben R. Kelly

Ben R. Kelly, age 87, passed away on Saturday, December 11, 2010 in the Ben Atchley Tennessee State Veterans Home. Mr. Kelly was born in Memphis, Tennessee, the son of Marshall and Agnes Kelly. He moved to Johnson City in 1949 and retired as a pharmaceutical sales representative. Mr. Kelly attended Memphis State, William and Mary and was a 1953 graduate of East Tennessee State University. He was a veteran of the United States Army having served in World War II and the Battle of The Bulge. Mr. Kelly was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church where he served as elder and deacon. He was also a member of the Pairs and Spares '? Brotherhood Sunday school class. Mr. Kelly was a former President of the Lions Club and a past President of the Hilltoppers Sports Club. He was also an Eagle Scout. In addition to his parents, Mr. Kelly was preceded in death by his wife Louise Danielson Kelly and one sister, Norma Jean Nussbaumer. Mr. Kelly is survived by two daughters, Marsha Ann Reed and husband Phil, of Lakeland, FL, and Donna Lynn Cox, of Knoxville, TN; one son, Jim Kelly and wife Angel, of Knoxville, TN; nine grandchildren, Emily Lietz and husband Chris, of Lakeland, FL, Tim Reed and wife Beth, of Lakeland, FL, Daniel Cox, of Atlanta, GA, Matthew Cox, Rebecca Cox, Jimmy Kelly, Kristi Kelly, Katie Kelly, all of Knoxville, TN, and Jennifer Vaughan-Birch and husband Cody, of Punta Gorda, FL; three great grandsons, Ben Lietz, Jackson Lietz, both of Lakeland, FL, and Colt Vaughan-Birch, of Punta Gorda, FL; one great granddaughter, Allory Kate Kelly of Knoxville, TN; one niece, Karen Avery, of Memphis, TN; three great nieces and one great-great nephew. The family will receive friends from 5:00 pm until 7:30 pm Thursday evening, December 16, 2010 in the Morris-Baker Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 am Friday morning, December 17, 2010 in the First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Louis Imsande and Dr. Angus Shaw officiating. Burial will follow in the Oak Hill Memorial Park, Kingsport, Tennessee, with military honors to be rendered by the Boone Dam VFW Post #4933 and members of the Tennessee Army National Guard. Pallbearers will be Daniel Cox, Matthew Cox, Jimmy Kelly, Tim Reed, John Logan and other family and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the First Presbyterian Church, 105 South Boone Street, Johnson City, TN., 37604. Morris-Baker Funeral Home, 2001 Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, TN., 423-282-1521, is in charge of arrangements.