Earl was a member of the 65th Street Baptist Church. He attended Woodlawn High School until the bombing of Pearl Harbor and then he went and proudly fought for his country. He was a World War II veteran and earned several medals, the WWII Victory Commemorative Medal, the Bronze Star, and Courage and Bravery. Earl was a member of the American Legion Post # 171.
After returning to the United States, he owned three restaurants. He retired from Rust Engineering as an iron worker.
He is survived by his wife Billie Chandler Kelley; sons Larry R. Kelley (Wanda), Garry B. Kelley (Georgia), and Barry L. Kelley; daughters Karen Kelley Courtney (Guy) and Sharon K. Kelley; grandchildren Lauren Kelley Brown (Greg), Courtney Kelley White (Kevin), Neil Kelley, Montana Courtney, David Courtney (Tricia), Shannon Courtney Wright (Robbie), and Rachel Baribeau; and five great-grandchildren.
