Levi Kelly

Our loving, precious dad, Levi W. Kelly, 89, went to be with Jesus, July 22, 2010. He was born November 16, 1920 to John Sanford and Ida Harlan Kelly in Bishop, Texas. He was one of six children born to the pioneer Kelly family in Bishop. The Kellys moved from the Marlin, Texas area in 1916 and farmed in the Bishop, Texas area for many years. Mr. Kelly is a descendant of Levi Phillips who fought alongside George Washington at Valley Forge. He attended Texas A&I in Kingsville, Texas for two years, majoring in Petroleum Engineering until drafted into the Army Air Corps as a draftsman in WWII. After returning home, Levi lived in Agua Dulce, Texas where he farmed with his brother, Harlan Kelly. On May 20, 1950, he married Doris Ann Ledbetter, and they had three children. Mr. Kelly worked for Tenneco Oil Co. for many years and continued to farm part-time. Levi also served tirelessly in many capacities in the Agua Dulce Baptist Church. He was a member of the church quartet and enjoyed singing in the church choir in both the Agua Dulce Baptist Church and Bishop First Baptist Church. He moved his family to Bishop in the spring of 1961. He is remembered as a kind, loving Christian man, and leaves a legacy of love and faith for his Lord, family, friends and country. He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Doris, his son, William A. Kelly, brothers, Harlan and Joe Kelly, sister, Louise Setliff. He is survived by his daughters, Janie (Bruce) Dugger and Ellen (Bill) Ball; four grandchildren, Lauren (Reese) Weller, Lanna Dugger, Abby Ball and Kelly Ball; great grandchildren, Reese Weller, IV, and Graham Weller; sister, Mildred Brown; brother, Tom Kelly; sister-in-law, June (Harlen) Dodson, several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be from 2 P.M. until 8 P.M. with the family present from 6 P.M. until 8 P.M. Monday, July 26, 2010 in Sawyer-George Funeral Home. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 P.M. Tuesday, July 27, 2010 at First Baptist Church in Bishop, Texas with Pastor Clif Abshier officiating. Burial will follow in Restland Cemetery in Bishop, Texas. Pallbearers will be his nephews and nephews-in-law. In lieu of flowers, friends are asked to make contributions to First Baptist Church in Bishop, Texas. The family wishes to express their gratitude to the 1st and 3rd floor staff of the Holmgreen Center, to Assisted Living Director, Lytane Bozle and Vista Care Hospice for their loving support and care.