Earnest Kelley, 101, of Hamilton, Georgia died on Saturday, February 20, 2021 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born on April 18, 1919 in Morehead, Mississippi to the late Rosie Lee Scales Kelley and Charles Asberry Kelley. He grew up during an era where life wasn’t as simple as it is today. Mr. Kelley was one of fourteen children. He left school to help take care of his family. Mr. Kelley joined the United States Navy and was stationed at Pearl Harbor when it was attacked by the Japanese. Mr. Kelley was on the USS Helena along with his oldest brother, Charles, after the attack Earnest was lost for three days and Charles was lost for seven days each brother thinking the other had been killed in the attack. Mr. Kelley was reunited with his brother after being rescued. He continued to serve his country during WWII in the Navy. After his service with the Navy Mr. Kelley joined the United States Army. He served in the Korean War and retired after 20 years from the Army. Mr. Kelley was stationed at Fort Benning during his While in the Army Mr. Kelley was stationed at Fort Benning, Kelley Hill was named for Mr. Kelley.
After his retirement from the Army Mr. Kelley knew the importance of financial independence, he went on to continue his education. He obtained his real estate license. He worked with real estate investors and became a broker, mortgage broker and manager of his own properties.
Mr. Kelley traveled to Honduras in July of 1971 and met the love of his life, Eva Luz Hernandez Madrid. They were married on February 17, 1972 and soon moved to the United States to begin their life together. They lived in Bloomfield, Michigan, then to Miami, Florida and finally residing in Hamilton, Georgia. Mr. Kelley and his new bride were inseparable, they enjoyed living life together. His passions were her passions, and one of those passions was gardening. They loved to travel and just spend time with each other.
Mr. Kelley leaves his loving memory to be cherished by his loving wife of 49 years, Eva Kelley; his children: Mirna Rapalo Maldonado and her husband, Leonidas “Leo” Maldonado, Jose Antonio “Tony” Rapalo Hernandez and his wife Denia Gamez, Enez Osborne and her husband Joe Osborne, Howard D. Kelley; his grandchildren: Rhonda Mormon, Tunisia Hobbs, Stacy Hernandez, Jerry Hernandez, Mirna Jiovanna “Jiovannita” Lopez, Eva D. “ Loli” Hernandez, Jose Antonio Hernandez, Kelyn Pineda, Earnest A. “Ernestico” Rapalo, Genesis D. Gamez, David Antonio Rapalo, and Evan A. Rapalo; his (like a son) nephew, Ralph Coleman; his siblings: Charles Kelley, Jr., Essie Williams, and Frank Kelley. Mr. Kelley was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Asberry Kelley and Rosie Lee Scales Kelley; his son, Earnest T. Kelley; and his siblings: Ida Mae Rivers, Hattiebell Baker, James Kelley, Essie Mae Robinson, and Ethel Kelley.
A special thank you is extended to Reina Suarez, Judith Hernandez, Yoselin Otiz and her husband, Major Juan Ortiz, Paula Jimenez and all the neighbors in the Winding Lake Subdivision.
A visitation for family and friends will be held on Friday, February 26, 2021 at Striffler-Hamby Morutary in the Edgewood Hall from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM. A Celebration of Earnest’s Life will be held on Saturday, February 27, 2021 at 11:00 AM in the Edgewood Hall of Striffler-Hamby Mortuary with Reverend Jimmy Culpepper officiating. Burial will follow in Parkhill Cemetery with Military Honors. Services at the funeral home and the cemetery will be lived streamed through Striffler-Hamby Mortuary at Parkhill Cemetery’s Facebook page. For those attending the services please follow the guidelines in wearing face covering and social distancing.
