Mark Claude Kelley, 69, DOB 7-14-1951 of South Charleston, WV passed away Sunday, July 26, 2020, at CAMC-Gen. Div., Charleston, WV. He was predeceased by his parents, Claude Audley & Reva Jane Kelley, and daughter, Elizabeth Ann Kelley.
He is survived by his wife, Sandra Hackney (Hall) Kelley of South Charleston, WV, daughter, Sarah Kelley (Brian) of Charlotte, NC, sister, Christy Kelley of Ripley, WV, and brother, Joseph Kelley (Felicity) of Fairplain, WV. He is also survived by nieces, Polla Johnson, Pamela VanHoy, Priscilla Parsons, Cora Jane Kelley, nephew, David J. Kelley, aunts, Ruth Hall of Ripley, WV, Ellen Smith of Lebanon, OH, and June Hill of Beverly, OH. He had 38 first cousins, and many great-nephews & nieces.
Mark retired from Boilermakers Local #667. Prior, he was a Chemical Operator for FMC Corp., Pressman and Printer with Gannett Corp., Newspapers, in Washington D.C. Also worked at DuPont Chemical, Lake Waccamaw, NC.
Mark was a Bubbling Brook of Life! He loved to read adventures and often read to Sarah and Elizabeth at Chincoteague Island, VA. He was an Award winning Artist. He did drawing, painting, sculpting, and writing. He was an Award winning Sharp-Shooter. He enjoyed many sports including surfing, snorkeling, boating, skiing, skydiving, horseback riding and dirt biking. Mark walked across the State of WV with his dog ‘friend’ Liberty .
He built a large outside electrified stage at his Barn Hollow home where he and many friends enjoyed Jam Sessions. He always looked for ways to help his friends, tell stories, and make you laugh. Every day was an adventure!
He was a member of Dunbar United Methodist Church and was honorably discharged from the U. S. Army Reserves, graduate of Dunbar High School and attended Marshall University.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 8, at the Kanawha State Forest, Shelter # 9 in Charleston, W. Va.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Dunbar Library, 301 12th St., Dunbar, WV 25064 in Mark’s memory.
2018 my sister Wendy and I went to Mark’s grand niece, our 3rd cousin’s Wedding in Ripley. We were picked up at the airport in Charleston by his mother Reva Kelley & sister Christy Kelley. They took us to a lovely restaurant where we were surprised by more of the Kelley Clan including Mark. The food, conversation and laughter was extra special,
The day of the wedding Mark took us both out to his car where we received a signed framed itching by Mark along with a WV & Marshall t-shirt.
This is for your Mark: I wore my WV t-shirt in your memory yesterday on the WSU campus as students are returning to college. You will me missed Cousin.
Mark was a dear and trusted friend to my for well over 30 years and the last living member of The Step Guys, so named by my then 3YO son when he, AD and Bobcat were working on a front step project at my house. I could tell a million stories about Mark. I could but I’m not going to.
Like many of us, Mark had some set backs in life, maybe the biggest being the loss of his youngest daughter. But he lived life to the fullest, always a glass half full guy. My condolences go out to all of his family and friends. Special ones go to you Sandie. I’ll tell you some stories sometimes about when you and Mark reconnected, how happy you made him and just how thrilled he was to make you his Bride. I was and am happy beyond measure to have been part of that joyous union and y’all’s life overall. Just glad the ring didn’t find the water :~}
Much love,
Earl
So sorry to hear of Mark’s passing! We were classmates at Dunbar High School. His dear friend Kevin Boham in Indiana also extends his sympathies.