CLEVELAND, TENN. – Oscar Stanley Kelley, age 84, reigned victorious in his battle of sickness. He went home to be with the Lord and gained a brand-new body on Tuesday morning, March 2, 2021.
Oscar was born in 1936 to the late Mr. Gene Kelley and Mrs. Sarah Pride, whom he richly adored. He was preceded in death by his parents, stepfather, Johnnie Pride, affectionately known as “Pops”, brothers Richard and Gary Kelley and his “best girl” Mrs. Bettye Martin.
A mighty Man of Valor, Oscar enthusiastically dedicated his life to serving Christ, his Lord and personal Savior at an early age. He was a faithful husband to his wife, Bunny, of 28 years until his death. He was also a faithful dad, granddad and community supporter.
Oscar was a loyal member of the 2nd St. Church of Christ in Cleveland, TN; a long-term employee of Mueller Company in Chattanooga, TN; a Realtor at Century 21, a Veteran of the U.S. Army, a member of The American Legion of Bradley County, TN, Post 81, 40/8 Voiture Locale #735, 100 Black Men of Bradley County, Bradley County NAACP and the Bradley County Election Commission.
He loved gardening, maintaining his lawn, meeting and talking with anyone AND everyone! Depending on the city in which you met him, he introduced himself as Oscar or Stanley followed by that contagious smile!
He leaves to mourn; his devoted and loving wife Catherine Tillery Kelley; Sister, Margaret Kelley, Chattanooga, TN; Six children: Regina and Kirk Kelley, both of Chattanooga, TN, Margaret Kelley, Smyrna, TN, Michael Kelley, Atlanta, GA, a caring and devoted daughter, Angelique (Albert) Harris, Newnan, GA and Pamela (Charles) Goodine, Cleveland, TN; several grand, great, and great-great-grandchildren. One aunt, Mrs. Ruth (J.D.) Slay, Chattanooga, TN; Sister-in-law, Candace Kelley, Chattanooga, TN, Jane (Londell) Littlejohn, Los Angeles, CA, Dixie Johnson, Chicago, IL, Sarah Tillery, Miami, FL, Claudia Tillery, Nashville, TN and brother-in-law, Odell (Harriet) Moore, Cleveland, TN.
A walk-through visitation from 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 9 at the Patton Funeral Home Chapel, 265 Fair Street S. E. Cleveland, Tennessee to be in compliance with COVID-19 precautions.
Graveside service will be Wednesday, March 10th, at 1 p.m. at Chattanooga National Cemetery. Rev. Dr. Mitchell M. Walker Sr., Eulogist.
Patton Funeral Home is honored to serve the Kelley Family. pattonfuneralhome1962.com