Rodney Elwood Kelly

Rodney Elwood Kelly, 85, of Virginia Beach Virginia, passed away at home on Tuesday March 29, 2022 surrounded by loved ones after a courageous battle with a rare kidney disease. Rodney was a decorated veteran who served in the Navy and worked for the Civil Service after active duty.

He was born on September 1, 1936 to Martha and Clarence Kelly in Indiana, PA. On January 1, 1959 Rodney married the love of his life, Bonnie Lea Hewitt, going on to have 4 children.

Master Chief Kelly was an accomplished engineer, a loving husband, a loving father, and a brave and honorable soldier. He is survived by his loving family, wife Bonnie Lea Kelly; his children, Rod Kelly (Carol), Don Kelly (Paulette), Kerri Ulmer (John), and Lynn Swanner; his grandchildren, Nicole Miclette, Johnny Ulmer (Lindsey), Camron Kelly, Ashley Kelly, Stacey Vaziri (Bobby), Kelly Duran (Ariel), Victoria Ulmer, Megan Carlan (Chris), Sophia Kelly, and Isabella Kelly; Great Grandchildren, Carter Miclette, Bodie Miclette, Bristol Ulmer, and Nixon Nash. He was predeceased in death by his mother in law, Annabelle Hewitt; his parents, Martha and Clarence Kelly, his siblings, Dick Kelly, Alan Kelly, Charmayne Marsh and Jeannine Bucco and his grandson Rodney Kelly Jr.

Rodney loved to do wood work and play golf. Rodney loved his church family. He ushered, was a member of Methodist Men group, and volunteered to go on ASP trips mentoring the teens in the church. He often was asked to be a sponsor for the kids joining the church.

A viewing will be held to greet the family on Friday April 8, 2022 from 5pm-7pm at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens Funeral home 6329 E. Virginia Beach Blvd, Norfolk, Va.

The funeral will be Saturday April 9, 2022 at 1pm Community United Methodist Church, 1072 Old Kempsville Road. Virginia Beach, VA 23462.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Community United Methodist Church missions.

We would like to thank the Sentara Hospice group, especially Valerie, Makenzie, and Elizabeth for the care they gave Rodney to the end. They were wonderful.

We would also like to thank our church family for their visits, cards, and prayers.