Ronnie Kelly

Obituary for Ronald Keith Kelly Ronald Keith Kelly was called home to our Lord on Tuesday, May 25, 2021 at his home in Boyle, Mississippi surrounded by his family. He had made the decision to go on hospice care on Sunday. He shared with his entire family his decision and assured them he was going to be okay. His desire was to leave this world peacefully and without pain and suffering. God granted his wish. A visitation will be held at Ray Funeral Home on Thursday, May 27, 2021 from 5-7 pm. An additional visitation will be held at 10 am on Friday, May 28, 2021 with a Celebration of Life Service following at 11:00 am. Interment will be at the North Cleveland Cemetery. Ronnie was born May 16, 1961 to Ralph Lowry Kelly and Shirley Jean McCoy. Ronnie was a former Bolivar County Deputy Sheriff under the leadership of Mack Grimmett. His 18 years or more with the Sheriff's Department was not work, as some of us consider our job, it was an absolute pleasure for him to know that he was doing something good for the people of Bolivar County and the Community of Cleveland. He loved law enforcement. He also loved his beautiful daughters Robin and Lauren unconditionally. Once he married Beth Kelly and twin babies Hunter and Hannah came along, he decided he needed to be close to home at night with those 2 babies. He became the "Honey Do Man" after he left law enforcement. He became a superlative wood maker. Meaning, he could get a piece of wood and start thinking, and before you knew it, someone had a beautiful gazebo or an absolute beautiful bar or table with a "river" running through it!! His talent was immeasurable! He loved being outside and making something. He really did become the "Honey Do Man" to a lot of folks around town. Oh, and he made so many friends doing his wood working. He had great pride in his work. Ronnie never met a stranger. He was a good person who loved his friends dearly. He would do anything for you if he possibly could. So many people have written and called and have said how he was a good man and would "give the shirt off his back" to anyone that needed it.
First and foremost, Ronnie was a Christian. He was a member of Immanuel Baptist church, but had recently been attending Merigold Baptist Church. His family was his heart. He loved them unconditionally, but most importantly he showed them his love. He never ended a conversation on the phone with his family without saying "I love you."
He has left a legacy of what a family man is, what a Daddy is. Ronnie is predeceased by his mother, Shirley Kelly, and his sister, Tammy Kelly Chambers. Ronnie is survived by his wife of 18 years Beth Gladden Kelly; his children Robin Peacock (Jeremy) of Merritt Island, FL; Lauren Kemp (Zean) of Cleveland; Hunter and Hannah Grace Kelly of Boyle; and by his grandchildren Dawson Norquist and Zane Kemp of Cleveland; Ophelia Peacock of Merritt Island, FL; and by his brother Ricky Kelly (Denise) of Autaugaville, AL; and by his father Ralph Kelly. Other survivors include Shirley James of Drew: parents-in-law David and Peggy Gladden of Cleveland; brother-in-law Lee Gladden (Whitney) of Madison, MS; nephews Leighton Kelly (Rebecca) of Bartlett, TN; Peyton Chambers of Cleveland; Tucker Gladden of Madison, MS; and niece Macy Gladden of Madison, MS. Special friends include Chuck and Cammie Balducci of Merigold; Tara and David Herrin of Boyle. Special thanks to Margie Sappington, our friend of Hospice of North Sunflower, for her love and care in taking care of Ronnie in his final days. Pall Bearers will be Chuck Balducci, Mike Kendricks, Lee Gladden, Kent White, Murry Roark and Leighton Kelly. Honorary pall bearers will be Mack Grimmett, Charles Balducci, John Michael Balducci, Peyton Chambers, Zean Kemp, Ricky Kelly, Bennie Coleman, Jeremy Peacock, Tommy Taylor and Paul Gladden. Per Ronnie's wishes an Educational Fund for Hunter and Hannah Grace Kelly has been established and you may send your donation to Tara Herrin, marked Hunter and Hannah Kelly Educational Fund 415 Rachel St., Boyle, MS 38730 or to Planters Bank of Cleveland marked Ronnie Kelly Benefit Fund.

Visitation

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Thursday, May 27, 2021
Ray Funeral Home 206 Bishop Road Cleveland, Mississippi, United States 38732

Visitation

10:00 am - 11:00 am Friday, May 28, 2021
Ray Funeral Home 206 Bishop Road Cleveland, Mississippi, United States 38732

Celebration of Life

11:00 am - 11:30 am Friday, May 28, 2021
Ray Funeral Home 206 Bishop Road Cleveland, Mississippi, United States 38732

Interment

12:00 pm - 12:30 pm Friday, May 28, 2021
North Cleveland Cemetery N Bayou Cleveland, Mississippi, United States