Roger Kelley Obituary

Roger Keith Kelley, Sr. , age 77, passed into Glory on Friday, April 21, 2023 at his home. Roger was born December 28, 1945 in Salyersville, KY. to Houston and Anne Preston Kelley. He attended grade school in Ivyton and Ashland, KY. His high school years were spent in Salyersville, KY. Roger was very popular, especially with the girls. When he was 18, his family moved to Berea. Here he was also popular with new friends and he enjoyed roller skating at Bel-Arena Skate Club. It was here that his fate was sealed. He met a spunky red-head and they began a court-ship. Within a year, he took Anita Lynn Anglin as his bride on June 20, 1965. They were married at Macedonia Baptist Church in Rockcastle County Ky. To this union 3 children were born. They were raised together to be a close-knit family and lived on Hwy 1016 for over 40 years. Roger was a licensed plumbing and pipefitter with Union Local #452 of Lexington KY and the National Plumbers and Pipefitters Association. As retirement age approached, Roger and Lynn decided to down size to a smaller, more convenient home. They purchased 5 wooded, hilly acres on South Dogwood Drive. Roger built a sweet little "get-away" cabin, and cottage style house for Lynn on their property named "Whippoorwill Hill". The last 15 years they have enjoyed the sights and sounds of nature on their hill together, as he tried to replicate the adventurous memories of many camping and traveling escapades with their children and grandchildren to picnic at streams, visit lakes, caves and beaches. Roger is survived by his wife of 58 years, Anita Lynn, one son Kip (Jordan), one daughter, Elizabeth (Phillip) Nowlin, 2 grand-daughters, Abbygail Broughton (Ryan) and Tristyn Nowlin (fiance' Ira Stasi), one great-granddaughter, Braelyn Rose Grubbs. He was preceded in death by his youngest daughter, Lavina Lynn (Ken) Hoskins. He is also survived by 2 brothers, Ken (Paulette) and Barry (Brenda), 2 sisters, Connie (Randall) Conley and Kathy (Don) Howard, all of Berea, KY. His surviving aunt, Ida Jane "Bartz" Conley of Dayton, OH. , a host of cousins, nieces and nephews also survive. Roger was a very dedicated, family-oriented man. He loved each family member with a deep passion, no matter who, what relation, or distance in between. He made each aware that they were special and his favorite. He was always willing to help his neighbors by using his trusty "Old Blue" tractor to tend to the shared little drive. His father, Houston Butler Kelley and mother, Anne Elizabeth Preston Kelley, sister Carol (Jerry) Rice, sister Rhonda Kelley and infant brother Ricky also preceded him in death. Roger also leaves behind 2 beloved and spoiled pets, Sophie, a tiny Yorkshire terrier and Cotton Bottom, his adopted cat, and yorkie grand-dog Kaddy Putt. Lakes Funeral home will be handling all services with Reverend Kenny Davis conducting service. Visitation for family will be Monday, April 24th from 4-5 and 6-8 for friends. Funeral will be held Tuesday, April 25th at 2:00. Burial will follow at the Berea Cemetery. Pallbearers are Roger's nephews: Jerry Rice Jr. , William Robert Parks, Joel David Parks, Barry Neil Kelley Jr. , James Michael Parks, Jeremy Thompson, Michael Flannery, and Zachery Thompson. Honorary Pallbearers are his nieces, great nieces and great nephews.