Reathell Kelley

In Loving Memory of Reathell Kelley

Reathell Kelley was born in Quitman, Texas on January 26, 1928, to the parentage of the late Claude and Alconey McGee-Kelley. He attended Quitman Colored School in Quitman Texas until the fifth grade. He accepted Christ at an early age and United with Freeman Chapel Baptist Church until his health failed him on January 6, 2022, at 8:25AM.

Reathell worked as a Forman for J.M Hudnall Construction Company for over forty years. He enjoyed providing his services to the Hudnall Company. In October 1956 Reathell was united in holy matrimony to the lovely Ruby Doll Edwards. They were married sixty-five years. To this union God blessed them with two children, a loving son Curtis Ray Kelley who preceded him in death on May 19, 2020, and a loving daughter Vanessa Kelley.

Reathell loved sharing memories of the “old days” reminiscing about the way things used to be. He enjoyed laughing and sharing jokes of which someone had conveyed to him. His family was his love, he enjoyed his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, brothers, sisters, cousins, and aunts and uncles. Grilling was his passion, he enjoyed grilling even in the winter. His food was tasty. Reathell was a great cook and fish was his favorite food. He was a wonderful mentor, husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He will be missed by his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, the late Claude and Alconey McGee- Kelley; brothers Roger Kirkland, Laurence, Beeart, Paul, Alton, Eugene and L.B Kelley; sisters: Valerie Kelley and Ruby Campbell; and a beloved son Curtis Ray Kelley.

He leaves to cherish his loving memories a devoted wife, Ruby Doll Kelley of Quitman, Texas; daughter Vanessa Kelley of Ponder, Texas; daughter-in-law Darlene Kelley of Quitman, Texas; brother Claud and Velma Kelley of Quitman, Texas; sister Roberta Barnett of Dallas, Texas; grandchildren and great grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Mr. Kelley will lie in state from 12:00PM to 8:00PM on Friday, January 7, 2022, at Lowe-Gardner Funerals & Cremations.
Services for Reathell Kelley will be held on Saturday, January 8,2022 at Lowe-Gardner Funerals & Cremations at 2:00PM with burial to follow at Freeman Chapel Cemetery in Mineola, Texas.