TOMMY J. KELLEY, JR.

THOMAS JESSE KELLEY, JR., lifelong resident of Fayette County, retired Employee of Chickasaw Electric and husband of Eugenia Kelley died Friday evening, March 5, 2010 at his residence. He was 72 years of age and died following an extended illness.

Funeral services for Mr. Kelley were conducted at 2 P.M. Monday, March 8th at the Peebles Main Funeral Chapel in Somerville with Rev. Larry Kendrick, Pastor of the Somerville First United Methodist Church, officiating. Special remarks were given by Seth Garrington with a prayer provided by Cindy Matlock. Interment followed in the Somerville City Cemetery. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes-Main Chapel of Somerville.

Mr. Kelley was born July 31, 1937 in Fayette County the son of the late Thomas J. Kelley, Sr. and the late Mary Frances Rodgers Kelley.

He was educated in the Fayette County School System, graduating from Fayette County High School and later served in the Tennessee Army National Guard.

Mr. Kelley was married August 12, 1956 to the former Eugenia Rich of Somerville, who survives.

Before his retirement in 1999, he was employed with Chickasaw Electric Cooperative in Somerville for nineteen years where he served as a Staking Engineer.

Mr. Kelley was an active member of the Somerville First United Methodist Church where he served on the Administrative Board and as a Trustee.

An avid outdoorsman, Mr. Kelley enjoyed activities that included hunting, fishing, golf and  horseback riding as long as health permitted. A former Coach with the local Dixie Youth Baseball League, he was also instrumental in constructing the Morris-Chambers Baseball Park.

In addition to his wife of fifty-three years, Mr. Kelley's survivors include his two loving sons, David Kelley (Candy) of Somerville and Tom Kelley (Nancy) of Collierville and his four grandchildren in whom he took great pride and delight: Matthew Seth Kelley, Christin Wray Kelley, Thomas Jesse Kelley, IV and Austin James Kelley-they, in turn, idolized their Grandpa. He also leaves a sister, Betty Darnell of Bolivar and a brother, Ray F. Kelley of Pickwick Dam.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Billy Jo Kelley and a brother, Ronald W. Kelley.

Those honored to serve as casket bearers were Henry Diffee, Raymond Kelley, Jr., Reuben Kennon, James D. Matlock, David Reeves and Barrett Rich.

Honorary casket bearers were Eric Andrews, Max Burch, Preston Douglass, Harold W. Feathers, Seth Garrington, Aubrey Green, Jack Hammers, Bill Kelley, Doug Mason, Amos McDonald, Bobby Joe Miller, Bobby Morris, Carlton Morris, Joe Moss, Robert Boyd Parker, Jimmy Powers, Bill Robbins, James Robinson, Burnell Skelton, Johnny Tartera, Gerald Taylor, Jimmy Williams and the Employees of Chickasaw Electric Cooperative.

The family requests that memorials be directed to the Somerville First United Methodist Church Christian Activity Center, 202 South East Street, Somerville, TN 38068; Phone: (901) 465-1411.