Colin Patrick Kelly

Colin was a 1961 graduate of Model High School and a 1968 graduate of Georgia Tech.

Colin was employed for 20 years by Blue Bell Inc, the manufacturer of Wrangler Jeans and sportswear and lived in several cities in North Carolina and in Commerce, Georgia before returning to his hometown in 1987.

Colin started Management Insights in 1988 and built that business into a successful provider of computer and network services with satisfied customers all over Northwest Georgia and Northeast Alabama.

Wherever Colin’s work took him, he was heavily involved in community organizations, having been involved in the Jaycees, Kiwanis, and the Exchange Club of Rome. Colin was of the Baptist faith and a member of Second Avenue Baptist Church of Rome, GA where he served as an usher for many years.

Colin’s true passion was the theater and he was involved in local and regional theater projects in several different cities. Colin was an accomplished director, stage manager, and actor. While a student at Georgia Tech, Colin was active in DramaTech. He was one of the founders of Playhouse 27893 in Wilson, NC in the early 1970’s, and of the Tumbling Waters Drama Society in Commerce, Georgia.

Upon moving back to Rome in 1987, Colin was able to realize a lifelong dream – to participate in an active role with the Coosa Valley Fair. Colin joined the Exchange Club of Rome in the late 1980’s and served as President of the Coosa Valley Fair in 2005. Colin’s favorite activity of the year was always the midnight steak dinner held by the Exchangites to celebrate the closing of each year’s fair. Colin enjoyed participating in the animal shows at the fair. Colin was the Coosa Valley Fair’s webmaster for many years and developed the Fair’s Facebook fan page, which now counts more than 2,500 followers.

Colin is survived by his wife of 46 years, Susan Shell Kelly; his mother, Eunice Deason of Rome; his sons and daughters in law Patrick Todd and Jean D. Kelly of Johns Creek, GA, and James Edward and Holly S. Kelly of Rome; four loving grandchildren Jackson Edward and Brenton James Kelly of Rome, and Katherine (Kate) and Preston Patrick Kelly of Johns Creek, GA; his brothers Don W. Kelly of Rome and David W. Kelly of Orlando, FL; and Sister-in-law Sharon C. Kelly, of Orlando, FL. Nieces Sarah Kelly Persinger and Jessica Kelly Mogon and nephew David Kelly also survive.

Colin is preceded in death by his father, William Edward Kelly of Rome, and his beloved niece and God-daughter Jaime Lynn Kelly of Orlando, FL.

Pallbearers will be the Ushers of Second Avenue Baptist Church. Honorary Pallbearers will include members of The Exchange Club of Rome and the board of the Coosa Valley Fair Association.

Flowers may be sent to Daniel’s Funeral Home or contributions may be made in Colin’s memory to either Second Avenue Baptist Church or The Exchange Club Family Resource Center of Rome.

The Family will receive friends at Daniel’s Funeral Home on Monday, April 25, 2011, from 5-8 pm. Funeral services will be held at the Second Avenue Baptist Church at 11 am on Tuesday, April 26, 2011, with the Rev. Monty Stallins officiating. Interment will be at East View Cemetery in Rome.