Donny Lee Kelly, 61, of Tupelo, MS passed away Thursday,February 15, 2024, at his home. He was born in Tupelo, MS on March 29, 1962, the son of the late Claude “Sonny” Kelly and Shirley Wilson Kelly Davis. He was a graduate of Mooreville High School, and soon after enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He finished his military career in the Mississippi National Guard, retiring in 2022. He had several business ventures including Kelly’s Grocery in Palmetto, Chesterville Grocery in Tupelo, West Main Gun and Pawn in Tupelo, and years of employment at Hunter’s Haven in Tupelo. He married his high school sweetheart, Penny (Orsborn) Kelly, on October 21, 1983, and they remained a devoted and affectionate couple until his passing. He was a colorful and well-known member of the Chesterville Community. A skilled conversationalist, he would always talk if someone would listen. He was a talented salesman, carpenter, businessman, and could fix anything mechanical. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, working on his old Chevrolet trucks, and working his land with tractors. He loved to buy, sell, and trade on just about anything. Most of all he was a family man. Donny loved to spend time with his grandchildren, he was a doting and devoted husband, and there was nothing in the world he would not have done for his three sons.
A service celebrating his life, with military honors, will be held at 2 PM Monday, Feb. 19, 2024 in the Sadie Holland Memorial Chapel at Holland Funeral Directors-Tupelo with Minister Kerry Williams officiating. Private family burial will follow in the Old Chesterville Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11 AM-service time on Monday only at Holland Funeral Directors, which is honored to be serving their friends.
Donny is survived by his wife, Penny Kelly; his sons and daughters-in-law, Casey Kelly (Jackie), Justin Kelly (Amara) and Austin Kelly (Brooke) all of Chesterville; his 14 grandchildren whom he cherished, Noah Kelly, Canaan Kelly, Sparrow Kelly, Isiah Kelley, Nate Kelley, Jaida Kelley, Eli Brown, Lyla Brown, Antonia Kelly, Giselle Kelly, Lilly Kelly, Emma Kelly, Curtis Kelly, and Wyatt “Donny Jr” Kelly; his sister, Teresa Mason (Greg) of Chesterville and a brother, Jimbo Adams of Nettleton; a special aunt, Diane Whitt of Okolona; a host of nieces and nephews and their families, and countless friends. Donny was preceded in death by his parents, Sonny Kelly and Shirley Davis.
Pallbearers will be Jimbo Adams, Dan Porch, Jeremy Kelly, Tim Boyd, Tommy Bickerstaff, Buck Yarbrough, Richard Rowland, and Tim Bell. Honorary Pallbearers will be all his grandchildren.
