Charles E. Kelley

DEERFIELD – Charles Edward Kelley, 77, passed away Thursday (July 25, 2024) in the University of Virginia Hospital.

Charles was born on April 10, 1947 in Augusta County and was a son of Isaac Jacob “Jake” Kelley and Junie Estelle (Kelley) Kelley.

Charles was drafted into service in the U. S. Army in 1968, and served with the 44th Engineering Battalion in South Korea during the Vietnam War. Following his military service, he worked for VDOT and tended fire towers for the Forestry Service for a short time, and then began a 30-year career with American Safety Razor. He retired in 2000. He was a member of Deerfield Baptist Church and Dula-Byerly VFW Post 3060. Charles was an avid hunter and fisherman, and enjoyed traveling. He was famous for his love of trading vehicles, and was a frequent visitor to many car sales lots.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Debra Lynn (McWhorter) Kelley; a brother, Thomas “Tommy” Kelley; and a sister, Edith “Charlotte” Thompson. Surviving are his wife of 16 years, Dixie Janet (Warren) Kelley; two children, Jennifer White and husband Walter “Junior” White of Deerfield, and Keith "Zeke" Kelley and wife Cindy of Monterey; a brother, Daniel Kelley and wife Carol of Mt. Solon; three sisters, Patsy Riley of Staunton, Phyllis Starrett of Churchville, and Ruth Kelley of Irving, Tex.; sister-in-law Linda Kelley of Deerfield; two step sons, Glenn Lawrence Jr. and wife Michelle, and Larry Kyle Lawrence and wife Dana, all of Churchville; grandchildren Ryan White, Nina Dunn, Jason Elkins, Brittany Robertson, Casey Lawrence, and Ciara Bayne; great-grandchildren Preston Elkins, Shailey Elkins, Meadow Dunn, Gracie Elkins, Alex Elkins, Brielle Robertson, Bodi Robertson and Caroline Bayne; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held 2 pm Tuesday, July 30 in Deerfield Baptist Church, officiated by Pastor Curtis Crawford. Active pallbearers will be Devin Hollingsworth, Glenn Lawrence Jr., Larry Kyle Lawrence, Jeff Patterson, Wayne McWhorter and Ryan White. Honorary pallbearers will be friends attending the service.

The family will receive friends from 6 – 7:30 p.m. Monday in Bear Funeral Home.

Memorials may be directed to the Deerfield Valley Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad or to the American Cancer Society.

Condolences may be expressed to the family online at bearfuneralhome.com.