B. L. Kelley

Rev. B. L. Kelley, 78, resident of Ooltewah, Tenn., passed away Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2013, in a Chattanooga hospital with his loving family by his side. He was a member of Redemption Point Church in Ooltewah, Tenn. Rev. Kelley was an Ordained Bishop in the Church of God for 60 years. He began his ministry as Evangelist and Pastor. He served the Church of God as State Youth and Christian Education Director in California and Illinois, Overseer/ Administrative Bishop in Delaware/Maryland/District of Columbia, Mississippi, Eastern North Carolina and Alabama. He then served at the International Headquarters of the Church of God as a Field Representative for the World Missions Department. His final years of ministry were at Redemption Point Church as Pastor Emeritus. Lastly, and to quote Rev. Kelley, "I had the perfect marriage". He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Alma Forester Kelley; his parents, Wiley Leonard Kelley and Della Mae White Kelley; and 2 brothers also preceded in death. He was a loving father, husband and Papa. He is survived by his daughter and son in law, Susan D. Rodgers and Johnnie, of Sharpsburg, Ga., and one son, Patrick L. Kelley, Ooltewah, Tenn.; two grandchildren, Josh J. Rodgers and Austin L. Rodgers and 2 great-grandchildren, Lexie and Paris; brothers and sisters, Dearmon (Marjory) Kelley, Flushing, MI, Kenneth (Shirley) Kelley, Royston, Ga., Wanda Kelley, Grand Blanc, MI, Bonnie Kelley Bryan, Flushing, MI, Katie Kelley Koch, Mt. Morris, MI and Joseph (Connie) Kelley, Lapeer, MI; many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews also survive. A Celebration of the Life and Home Going of Rev. B. L. Kelley will be Tuesday, Dec. 3, at 11 a.m. at Redemption Point Church in Ooltewah, TN with Pastor Kevin Wallace, officiating. His body will lie in state one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will follow in Tennessee/Georgia Memorial Park with Josh Rodgers, Austin Rodgers, Buddy Barnes, Danny Kelley, Kris Horvath and Eddie Trotter serving as pallbearers. Honorary Pallbearers will be fellow ministers and spouses in the Church of God. The family will receive friends today from 5-8 p.m. at Grissom Funeral Home in Cleveland, TN and one hour prior to the service at the Redemption Point Church in Ooltewah, TN. Online condolences may be sent to http://www.grissomfh.net/ Directions to the church. From 1-75 Exit 11 (Lee Highway) go east approx. 0.5 mi. to Ooltewah-Ringgold Road. Turn south (right) and go approx. 3 miles and Redemption Point Church is on your right. Address: 3831 Ooltewah-Ringgold Road Ooltewah, TN 37363.