Kenneth Earl Kelly

Known to his family as Papa, Guygee and Chunk, Mr. Kelly was born on December 26, 1934, in Clothsplint, KY to his father, Coy Kelly, and mother, Cora (Ball) Kelly.

He came to Tampa, Florida after his years of service in the Air Force. It was here that he met his loving wife of 67 years, Annette (Ellerbe) Kelly, when he visited Tampa Theater, where she worked at the concessions stand. For both, it was love at first sight. Throughout his life, Kenneth was a man of many hats: an aircraft mechanic during the Korean war, a cook, carpenter and an electrician, being employed by Tampa Electric for 31 years. He loved woodworking, and frequented many craft shows across Florida, where he sold his handmade tables and shelves.

His sense of humor was known to all who met him, and delighted in making others laugh. A man of God, he delighted in attending and volunteering his time at Countryside Baptist Church in Dover, FL, where he was a deacon. In later years, he loved watching Walker Texas Ranger with grandson Kenny on Friday afternoons.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Coy and Cora (Ball) Kelly, sister Loretta (Kelly) Coley, brother Jackie Kelly, his son, Darrell L. Kelly, and wife, Annette E. (Ellerbe) Kelly. He is survived by his daughter, Anita (Kelly) Snyder, son Gary Kelly, grandchildren, Kenneth E. Kelly and Allen Snyder, and other nieces and nephews.