Eddie Jacklien Kelly passed away peacefully at the age of 90 on October 29, 2017. He was born November 17, 1926 to the parents of John Gordon Kelly and Maggie Carter Kelly both of Blackshear, Georgia. He met and married his wife of 70 years, Bertha Johnson Kelly, also of Blackshear, Georgia.



He was a Sergeant in the United States Army and served in World War II stationed in Germany and France during 1946. During his years of service, he received the World War II Victory Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He was honorably discharged on February 3, 1947 returning to Waycross and marrying the love of his life that same year. He worked for the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad until 1949. They then moved to Fernandina Beach and started a family. He worked for Jefferson Smurfit for 39 years before retiring as a Mill Wright Supervisor.



Ed was a lifelong Christian and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Fernandina Beach, Florida. He served as an active Deacon for over 30 years. He also held many other positions on various committees and was at one time Superintendent of Sunday Schools. He was a Master Mason and a Shriner for 50 years and participated in many activities to raise funds for the Shriners Hospital for Children.





Many wonderful years were spent at their second home on the Satilla River where countless fish fries and family gatherings were enjoyed. Fishing was a great love of his as well as the outdoors. Ed loved spending his evenings on the porch with his loving wife. Ed and Bertha enjoyed vacationing in the mountains with family and friends. Ed was a giving man, a wonderful provider, and a hard worker. He had a strong Godly presence and an honorable reputation which preceded him. He instilled family values by example, and was sure to pass his work ethic along to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Family was Ed�s greatest pride.



Ed is preceded in death by his parents, John and Maggie Kelly, his sisters, Janette Davis and Louise Nelson, and his brother Earnest Kelly. He leaves his wife of 70 years, Bertha (Johnson) Kelly; his daughters Kay Kelly Stockstill(Joel) and Sue Kelly Powell(Tim); five grandchildren, Shawn Haddock, Kevin Haddock(Kelly), Elisha Powell Mock(Jonathan), Eric Powell(Barbara Ann), and Kristin Powell Boyette(Mark); six great-grandchildren, Jackson and Tanner Mock, and Payton and Taylor Boyette, Cody and Mallory Hinkle; nieces, nephews, family, and friends.



Funeral services will be held Thursday, November 2, 2017 at 11:00 AM at First Baptist Church of Fernandina Beach with Rev. Jimmy Dees and Rev. Zach Terry officiating. The family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 AM. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Board of Deacons and the William Davis Sunday School Class. Mr. Kelly will be laid to rest at Bosque Bello Cemetery.



The family asks memorials be made, in his memory, to First Baptist Church of Fernandina Beach Building Fund.