Anthony Earl Kelley

Anthony Earl Kelley, age 46, United States Army, died November 7, 2005.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, November 14, 2005 at 11 a.m. from St. Paul AME Church 606 East Academy Street in Troy with Rev. Samuel Smith officiating and Bishop E. Earl McCloud delivering the eulogy.

Burial will follow at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Lindwood, with George F. Grubbs Funeral Home directing.

The body will lie in state from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. in the church.

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated will have an Omega Service at George F. Grubbs Funeral Home in Troy on Sunday, November 13, 2005 at 6 p.m.

Every family is blessed with someone who adds so much love to any family get-together, who brings so much happiness to seemingly ordinary days, who makes special events extraordinary, who gives so much to everyone around him, friend or stranger, whether in the form of a kind word, a brilliant smile, hospitality &#8220Kelley Style,” a selfless deed, words of encouragement, or a widow's mite.

In our family, Anthony, affectionately known as &#8220Bo,” was that special someone who blessed us with his loving and kind spirit.

Anthony Earl Kelley was born on November 27, 1958, in Troy to the proud parents of Mrs. Mary Lois Gillis Kelley and Mr. Emmitt Earl Kelley.

He was the big brother to sisters Anita L. Kelly and Angela Kelly Stowman.

When he was only 10 years old, he and his siblings lost both parents to death within six months.

Thereafter, he and his sisters, along with a special cousin, Deborah Gillis Smith, were raised by maternal grandparents, Henry Grant Gillis (deceased) and Mrs. Fannie Laura Gillis.

Anthony attended the Troy City Schools and graduated from Charles Henderson High School in 1978.

He later attended and graduated in 1983 from Alabama A&M University in Huntsville.

Anthony was pursuing his master's degree in Quality Management Systems at the National Graduate College, Washington D.C.

After graduating from college, he was commissioned as an officer in the United States Army, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Anthony was posthumously awarded the Legion of Merit Medal.

His awards and declarations also include the Meritorious Service Medal (6 OLC), Army Commendation Medal (2 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (2 OLC), National Defense Service Medal (2nd award), Global War on Terrorism Medal, Korean Service Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, and Overseas Service Medal.

He served in numerous military assignments to include leadership positions at Ft. McClellan, Ala., Alabama A & M University, Ft. Stewart, Ga., and Ft. Bragg, N.C.

Overseas assignments included Kitzingen, Germany and South Korea. He served in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in Camp Doha, Kuwait, and was later reassigned to the U.S. Embassy Kuwait.

His last duty station was Ft. Meyer, Virginia as the Director of Emergency Services for the Military District of Washington.

Anthony was a life member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated.

He served as Basileus for his college chapter, Nu Epsilon.

He also served in other leadership capacities, nationally and internationally. Anthony was also an Alcazar Shriner.

He was a member of the Greater St. Paul A.M.E. Church and continued to worship in other Christian congregations, as he fulfilled his professional services around the world.

Anthony credited his faith for his belief and love of God and mankind.

His family mantra was the Prayer of Jabez: &#8220Oh, that thou would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain.” 1 Chronicles 4:10

Notwithstanding these and other accomplishments, his proudest accomplishment was that of father to Anthony Earl Kelley, Jr. (15 years old) and Ashley Alexandra Kelley (11 years old).

His children were his pride and joy.

Nothing, beyond the love of God, superseded his love and commitment to AJ and Ashley.

He demonstrated the same through the branding of their names near his heart and his many acts of love.

Anthony is survived by his loving grandmother, Ms. Fannie Laura Gillis.

He is also survived by his children, Anthony Jr. and Ashley, who live with their mother, Ms. Deborah West Kelley, in Jacksonville, Fla. He leaves to cherish his memory two adoring and loving sisters: Circuit Judge Anita L. Kelly of Montgomery, and LTC Angela Kelly Stowman (William) of Atlanta; niece: Arin Stowman; nephews: William Stowman and Alexander Stowman; aunts:

Vera P. Gillis, Fannie (Jimmy) King, Vallanda (Lorenza) Baker, Connie Gillis, Cynthia (Willie) Parker, and Annie Paige; uncles:

Samuel Gillis, Theodore Gillis (deceased), H. Lewis (Gladys) Gillis, Elijah Gillis, Willie M. (Lucie Mae) Kelley, Gene (Ann) Kelley, and Aaron (Sophia) Kelley; and a host of other relatives and special friends.

Anthony valued education and very much believed in the potential of all mankind through education, particularly children.

As a lasting tribute to Anthony, we believe that he would be honored for us to establish a scholarship fund.

Donations to the Anthony Earl Kelley Memorial Scholarship Fund can be made to First Tuskegee Bank, C/O Darryl Hawkins, Executive Director of Investment Services, 100 Commerce Street, Montgomery, Alabama, 36104, 334-262-0800.