Merris Kelley

Merris “Little Ray” Kelley was born on July 11, 1994 in Cincinnati, Ohio to Karen R. Bennie and Raymond Kelley, Jr.

Merris graduated from Cincinnati State Adult Education Program. Merris worked many jobs like construction and ground crew at DHL. His favorite job was the Vietnamese Restaurant as a dishwasher mainly because his daughter, Riah would get dropped off there and she got to spend quality time with her dad while he worked.

Merris, from a very young age, showed a great affection for math because he said it was like counting money. Merris loved video games, basketball, hanging with his brother, cousins and friends. Merris was a great cook. He loved to barbecue and would always work the grill at family reunions. His favorite foods were chicken alfredo and chicken wings. Merris loved life.

Merris met Madison and she became the love of his life. Merris loved his three daughters and he had a special bond with each one. Riah, he would trip and box and say, “Always be ready. I caught you slipping.” Zoey, his beautiful autistic daughter, was his special love. I witnessed Merris’ endless patience with Zoey. He would hold her and always say, “Daddy’s here and Daddy loves.” Zara, on the other hand, was his minnie me. They fought constantly and timeout was her middle name.

Merris was preceded in death by his grandfather, Leo Hunter; his mother-in-law, Karen Burke; his sister-in-law, Sara Hines; his nephew, Timothy Bryant, Jr.; and cousin, Teasha Scales.

Merris leaves to cherish his memory: mother, Karen Bennie; father, Raymond Kelley, Jr.; grandmothers, Mary Hinstin and Donna J. Bennie; grandfather, Raymond Kelley, Sr.; his brother, LeVonn Bennie; stepsisters, Jamica Travis and Rae Monique Davis; his significant other, Madison Hines; three daughters, Zariah Kelley, Zoey Kelley and Zara Kelley; his nieces, Savonne, Winter, Alexis and Zionae; his nephew, LeVonn Bennie, Jr. whom he nicknamed, Dew; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and other special loved ones.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Merris Kelley, please visit our floral store.