Joseph Francis Kelly

Joseph Francis Kelly went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, May 1st, 2016.  Born December 4th, 1924, in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, Joe was a devoted husband and father, a loving grandfather, great grandfather and a faithful friend to many. He was one of that special American generation who, with his brother Jack and sister Agnes, sacrificed much as they worked as youngsters to help their family through the Great Depression, only to be called to further service in World War II.  After the war, Joe had a very successful career in law enforcement with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. In his career he earned his way to the top, serving as the Special Agent in Charge for the State of Mississippi. In 1974, he was promoted to Chief, Operation, Office of Criminal Enforcement in Washington, DC.  After his retirement in 1975, he was involved in North Carolina’s Advisory Council to the Governor’s Office of Citizens Affairs and was recognized by Governor Hunt as an Outstanding North Carolinian and inducted into The Order of the Long Leaf Pine.  In 1977, Joe became the first President and co-founder of the North Carolina Senior Citizens Association. 

Joe’s career brought him to Fayetteville in the early fifties where he met and married the young widow, Grace Futreal Bittle, and became the loving father of her son, Robert, and daughter, Marilyn.  Joe and Grace were then blessed with the birth of their daughter, Catherine.  Joe and Grace returned to Fayetteville at the end of his career to enjoy their growing family that, at the time, included four grandchildren. Sadly, Grace died not long thereafter.  In 1980, Joe married Ella Louise Harrell who also had three children and grandchildren of her own. Throughout their thirty-six years of marriage, Joe and Louise grew together in their faith in God and shared their love for their growing, blended families. Joe was the consummate father and grandfather. He was devoted to supporting his children and grandchildren in all their endeavors. 

Joe is pre-deceased by his parents, John Joseph and Mary Hohman Kelly, brother John Kelly, first wife Grace Kelly, grandson Michael Folsom, and son-in-law Levon Folsom.  He is survived by his second wife, Louise, his sister Agnes Heisler, son Robert Bittle, daughters Marilyn Sutton (Ben) and Catherine Walker (Buck), and Louise’s daughters, Sharon Folsom and Jamie Harrell, and her son James Harrell (Sandi).  The grandchildren are Alisha Bittle, Rob Bittle (Cristy), Jason Sutton (Ginny), Blair Sutton Craig (Ryan), Walton Walker (Lorene), Joseph Walker, Catherine Walker Mielke (Ben), Michael Walker, Shawn Folsom (Pam), and Jennifer Beasley. He is also survived by thirteen great-grandchildren, one great great granddaughter, and many nieces and nephews. Well done, thou good and faithful servant.   

Visitation will take place at 10:00 am at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with the Funeral Mass starting at 11:00 am followed by internment at Lafayette Memorial Park

.In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church Building Fund, 2844 Village Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28304 or to Stella Maris Attn: Development, 2300 Dulaney Valley Road, Timonium, MD 21093.

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