Jason Leon Kelly

Jason Leon Kelly, 79, died Monday, April 16, 2012 at his residence. A lifelong resident of Elgin, Mr. Kelly was a son of the late Charlie Weldon Kelly and Bertha Estelle Peake Kelly. He was a US Army veteran and supervisor with Shakespeare Corp., and a member of Harvest Baptist Church. Jason loved country, bluegrass and gospel music. He was locally known for his skill with the mandolin which he played for over 70 years. He loved to garden, and host fish fries with lots of live music played by him and friends. Jason’s many friends and family will miss his big heart that was best expressed in entertaining.

Survivors include his wife, Josephine Kelly; children, Arlene (Tommy) Watts and Jason Alan Kelly; stepchildren, Ray, Lee, Randall and William Boozer, Kimberly Macheel, and Sarah Murrell; grandchildren, Timothy, Adam and Amber Watts; step-grandchildren, Travis Murrell, Sarah, Kimber and George Barrett, Catherine and Austin Boozer, and Jessica Boozer; great grandsons, Parker Watts, Keegan and Easton Dowey, and Bryson Johnson; a number of nieces and nephews; and sister, Blondell (Hayward) Christensen. In addition to his parents, Jason was preceded in death by his brothers, Edward, Melvin, Lavern, Carl and A.C. Kelly.

The funeral service for Mr. Kelly will be held 11 o’clock, Wednesday, April 18, 2012, at Harvest Baptist Church. The Rev. Chris Smith, The Rev. Dan Griffin, and Don Jarvis will officiate the service. Burial will follow at Harmony Baptist Church Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Steven, Bruce and Dana Christensen, Travis Hayes, Melvin Kelly and Wayne Richbourg. Members of the band and the Senior Citizens Sunday School Class are invited to serve as honorary pallbearers. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 o’clock, Tuesday evening, at Shives Funeral Home, 5202 Colonial Drive, Columbia. Memorials may be made to Harvest Baptist Church 281 Wildwood Ln, Lugoff, SC 29078 or to Harmony Baptist Church, 998 Tookie Doo Ln, Elgin, SC 29045.