HENRY KELLEY JR

Henry Kelley Jr. was born October 21, 1942, in Sulphur Springs,( Hopkins County) Texas, the son of the late Henry Kelly, Sr. and Helen Christine (Donaldson) Kelly. He graduated from Douglas High School (Sulphur Spring, Texas) in 1960. After graduating from high school, he joined the United States Air Force on March 4, 1964. He trained and served as Air Policeman, and received an honorable discharge on March 4, 1968. Henry was born Henry Kelly, but upon entering the Air Force, he was advised he had to keep the spelling of his last name as shown on his birth certificate which was incorrectly recorded as “Kelley”. Upon returning home from service, he enrolled at East Texas State University. Prior to graduating from East Texas State, he was approached by ARCO Oil and Gas Company and was offered an employment position with their company to start as soon as he graduated college. Henry graduated May 1971 and began working as an Accountant for ARCO and continued his employment for eighteen years. Shortly, he followed his desire to teach and began his teaching career as a Special Education teacher. He taught at J.P. Starks Elementary and also at D.A. Hulcy. After sixteen joyous years of educating, he retired in 2008. Henry was previously married to Patricia Weatherall. To this union, two children were born , Tawana Michele and Channon Tod whom he loved dearly. He accepted Christ at an early age and united with Morning Chapel Baptist Church in Sulphur Springs. Upon moving to Dallas and continuing his Christian walk. He was a member of Community First Baptist Church and True Vine Of Holiness Baptist Church. On February 14, 1988 the Lord led him to unite with New Birth Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor George W. Pryor. Being a faithful member he was ordained as a DEACON in 1990. Deacon Kelley received recognition as “Man of the Year”, “Dedication and Faithful Service Award” , " Pastor's Award", “Pioneer Inductee” and “Family of the Year”. In earlier years, he was the Vice President of the Sanctuary Choir and served as Vice President of the Male Chorus . Prior to his health failing, he held the position as Superintendant of Sunday School until 2016. Deacon Kelley exempified John 9:4, " I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work". His favorite scripture was Romans 8:28. In holy matrimony, he married Veronica Williams on February 4, 1989. He leaves to cherish his memories, his caring wife, Veronica; his daughters Tawana Kelley of Dallas, Shaletha "Shell" Wright (Johnny) of Lancaster, and son, Channon Tod of Dallas . Grandchildren, Patron Payton, Canaan Kelley, Johnathan Wright, Breana Evans, Jayla Wright and Isaiah Wayne; two sisters Bobbie Harper (Lyndoll) and Sarah Kelly both of Dallas, a devoted cousin, Jane Clayton of Desoto, sisters and brother -in-law, nieces,nephews,cousins and friends.

HENRY KELLEY JR

October 21, 1942 - February 11, 2018