Raymond Anthony Kelly

Ray Anthony Kelly was born on April 18, 1958, to Primus Kelly and Annie Mae Kelly.  He is proceeded in death by his father Primus and eldest sister Mildra C. Kelly.                                            Ray was born in Cresent City, Florida, and later migrated to Daytona Beach, Florida. 
He attended Bonner Elementary and Holly Hill Jr. High School.
After relocating to Cleveland, Ohio in 1971, he attended John Adams High School.
Ray completed his education at the Cleveland Job Corps Center receiving his GED and earning a certificate in Auto Mechanics.
As a teenager, he was called by his family “STONE MAN!”
Sources say, one day his mother (Annie) was laying upon him heavily the “rod of correction,” so much so that they said dust was flying from his pants and yet he refused to shed a tear.  As his older brothers Charles and June(Primus) watched, they were amazed at his toughness.   In honor of Ray’s determination to “take-it-like-a-man”, together they named him STONE MAN!  After which, he acquired other aliases such as Ray Stone and Stone.
He was an excellent mechanic and could fix almost anything.
He started his own landscaping business which was very successful and his clients absolutely loved him. He enjoyed traveling and eating Krispy Kreme Donuts.  
One of his favorite places to visit was Clarksville, TN where his sister Sandra and brother-in-law (Avery) established their home after 20-plus years of active military service.
While there, Ray enjoyed spending time with his two favorite buddies Mike and his granddaughter (Little Miss Kaylee).
As a young boy, he was raised in the Mount Calvary Seventh-day Adventist Church in Daytona Beach, FL.
Later in life, Ray rededicated his life to Jesus Christ and again during his illness. 
Although he worshipped and served alongside his brother Bishop Johnny L. Kelly, Ray eventually joined the St. Mark’s Baptist church in Canton, Ohio, and became a devoted deacon until his illness prevented him from driving.
Even in his pain, family, and friends often found Ray giving thanks and praise to God.
He absolutely loved his family as well as the special times share between him and his brothers during their Sunday luncheons.
He made time to spend time with his cousins, nieces, nephews, and his friends.
Some say that a dog is man’s best friend. For Ray, Bear truly was his bestest buddy.
He loved his children. He loved all of his grandchildren and he loved his (son)Bear. Ray gave his very best effort to meet their needs.
He lived a life before them that was different from when they first knew him.
Ray Anthony Kelly placed his hand on the plow and kept moving forward.                   
Nearing the end of his days, he witnessed to his children and grandchildren continually encouraging them all to turn their lives over to Christ.  
He also purposed in his heart to make the necessary amends with those whom he made amends with. 
He deemed it all a necessity in order to say to us with confidence “it is well with my soul.”
In his final days, he was lovingly cared for by his beautiful family members Catherine Kelly, Primus Kelly, his eldest daughter JuJuan Mays, Bernice Thompson, and Brenda Singleton.                 
Called to rest in peace, Ray leaves behind his children JuJuan Mays, Amber Kelly, Edward Kelly (Kristyn), Mario Brown (Bre), Ray Cogburn, Leroy Thompson, and all his grandchildren. His mother, Annie M. Kelly Johnson, siblings Primus( Catherine) James (Rose), Charles (Patricia), Johnny (Tawonna), Gloria,  Sandra Orange (Avery), Andrew, Alisa Hood (Stan), and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.  
       

Humbly Submitted, The Family 

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