Mr. Howard Robert Kelley, age 87 of Ellijay, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, March 1st, 2023, at AccentCare Hospice in Cumming.

Mr. Kelley was born on May 23rd, 1935, in Denver, CO, to the late Howard Kelley and Frances Clark Kelley. He retired from the U.S. Navy after 25 years of service as a Hospital Corpsman. Mr. Kelley also retired from the Ellijay Post Office, after working 12 years, as a Window Clerk. He then went on to work at Goodwill where he was employed for 14 years before retiring. Mr. Kelley and his wife, Jane, were married for 46 years, and they lived in Ellijay for 40 of those years. He was a member of East Cobb Baptist Church. Mr. Kelley is preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Frances Kelley.

Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Jane S. Kelley; and daughter, Mary Jane Lachowsky.

To honor his wishes, Mr. Kelley will be cremated, and a memorial service will be held at East Cobb Baptist Church on Thursday, March 9th at 2:00 PM with Rev. Johnny Foster officiating. Full military rites will be performed by the U.S. Navy. A inurnment will be held at the Georgia National Cemetery on Tuesday, March 14th, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, March 9th at East Cobb Baptist Church from 1:00 PM until the funeral hour.

Bernhardt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.