Dezell Kelley

DEZELL KELLEY was born on April 28, 1940 in Carlton, Georgia to the union of Paul Kelley and Sarah Powell Kelley. He attended Carlton Public Schools.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Sarah Powell Kelley; three brothers, James Kelley, J.C. Kelley and Jimmie Kelley; his sister, Barbara Kelley; his son, Keith Williams Kelley; and his nephew, Dennis White, Jr.

After relocating from Carlton, Georgia to Cincinnati, Ohio, Dezell worked many interesting jobs. He worked at the Greater Cincinnati Airport, as it was known in the 1960s before being renamed the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport in 1992.

While employed at the Children’s Convalescent Home, he met Nora Dorn. They were married in July 1969 and shared 57 years together. Dezell was also employed at Stearns and Foster Mattress Company in Lockland, Ohio. He drove for several trucking companies. He enjoyed long distance driving on the open road. He also worked for Amazon for several years.

His most recent place of employment was Southern Baptist Church where he was a part-time Custodian. He enjoyed seeing his co-workers each day and becoming a friend to the children in the These Precious Hands Daycare Center. They called him “Mr. Kelley” and had a close bond with him.

As a member of Southern Baptist Church for over 50 years, he formed lasting friendships and shared his playful, fun-loving personality with everyone who knew him. He was an Usher for more than 50 years. He served on the Bus Ministry providing members with transportation to and from church. He was always willing to drive the youth, children and other ministries wherever they needed to go. He was a loyal member of Sunday School. He liked working with the crew of men who barbecued the meat for the church picnic because he enjoyed fellowshipping with them.

Dezell enjoyed watching television, fishing and listening to his favorite musical artists, Al Green, the Isley Brothers, Jackie Wilson and the Canton Spirituals.

He leaves to cherish his memory: his loving wife, Nora; his daughter, Thelma Dorn; two sons, Warren Thomas of Cincinnati, Ohio and Glenn Austin of Jacksonville, Florida; four granddaughters, Candiss Dorn, Meshanda Hadley-Andrews (Wiley) of California, Keyana Carter (Willliam) of California and Keshauna Williams-Washington (Demetrius) of California; two nieces, LaShasta Kelley and Sybil Kelley; four nephews, Jarenta Kelley, Kadeen Kelley, Mikayle Young and Victor Kesler, Jr.; great-great-nephew, Deamontae Kelley; niece, Latoniqua Kelley and great-niece, Kennyijah Kelley.

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