Robert “Bobby” Oscar Kelly, Jr., passed away on July 25, 2016. Bobby was born in Tanner on Nov. 17, 1929. He proudly served in the National Guard and the Army from 1950 to 1953. Among his many accomplishments, he would boast that he was a paratrooper in the 511th Airborne Infantry Regiment, completing 72 jumps. In 1955, he married Agnes Stewart of Tanner. Bobby and Agnes lived in Decatur first, then eventually made Tanner home. After his military service, Bobby worked for Monsanto, retiring in 1985. An avid horse trader, he competed in Halter Class and Cutter Horse competitions throughout the country. Besides horses, he liked joy riding around Limestone County in his truck, having breakfast with his friends at McKinney’s Corner Café and just talking to people. He and Agnes never had children but they seldom had a weekend to themselves as they enjoyed having their nieces and nephews, and other neighborhood children, visit with them. Bobby was also instrumental in the raising of his nephew, Mark Sparkman. Bobby was proud of both Mark and his niece, Carolyn and her daughter, Kelly. Madeline and Joe, Bobby’s great-niece and nephew, along with Kelly always felt so incredibly loved by “Uncle Bobby.”
Bobby’s parents, Robert Kelly, Sr. and Era Sandlin Kelly; sisters, Jane Kelly, Francis Hagood and Maye Crutchfield, preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Agnes, and a host of nieces and nephews of Alabama: Stewart, Steve, Mike, Teresa, Troy, Cathy, Hal, Melinda, Karen, Dana, Tim, Mindy and Benjamin.
A funeral service will be held Thursday, July 28, 2016, at 11 a.m. at Tanner United Methodist Church with McConnell Funeral Home directing. Visitation will be at the church one hour before the service. Burial will be in Tanner United Methodist Church Cemetery.
