Roland Lee Kelly, Sr.

Roland Lee Kelly Sr., 79, of Fayetteville, passed away peacefully Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2014, in Cape Fear Valley Medical Center.

Born in Clinton, on July 23, 1935, to Gordon Rabie and Mary Parker Kelly, he lived most of his life in Fayetteville. Roland married Catherine Basile on Nov. 19, 1953. They shared 61 years of marriage together.

In addition to being the president and founder of Kelly & Kelly Investment Co., Inc., Roland was a beloved husband and father.

The family will receive friends Friday, Oct. 17, 2014, at Rogers and Breece Funeral Home from 7 to 9 p.m. A celebration of life will be held Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014, at 11 a.m. in St. Patrick Catholic Church on Village Drive in Fayetteville. The burial will follow the funeral in Lafayette Memorial Park on Ramsey Street.

Roland was in the automobile business for 60 years. He was the president and founder of Kelly & Kelly Investment Co., Inc. located in Fayetteville. Roland lived a very full life, loved the car business, enjoyed traveling with his wife and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Roland touched the lives of many during his 79 years with us. When Roland left us on Tuesday, the world became a less colorful place, but his strength, generous nature, and the lessons he taught us will be in our hearts forever.

Roland is survived by his wife, Catherine Basile. Together they had seven children, Catherine Alene Kelly Sugar and husband Jim of Raleigh, Roland Lee Kelly Jr. and partner Sandra Sosa of Fayetteville, Ronald (Ronnie) Kelly and wife Mechelle of Sanford, Bethel Kelly Maloney and husband Scott of Charlotte, Connie Kelly Beamer and husband Danny Beamer of Cana, Va., Jerome Gordon Kelly of Fayetteville, and Selah Dawn Kelly Young and husband Patrick of Fayetteville. Roland was blessed with 13 grandchildren, Michael Maloney, Bobby Maloney and wife Megan, Kelly Maloney O’Malley and husband Patrick, Marie Kelly, Amanda Evans and husband Daniel, Miranda Kelly, Noah Beamer, Caleb Kelly, Jacob Kelly, Jerry Kelly Jr., Carson Young, Kaitlyn Young and Skylar Young. Roland was also blessed with five great-grandchildren, Jordan Maloney, Juliet Maloney, Alyssa Kelly, Liam Berkery and John Patrick O’Malley. Roland is survived by his brothers, Thomas Kelly and wife Joyce of Burlington, Roy Kelly of Clinton, B.W. Kelly and wife Kathy of Carrollton, Va., and Stonewall Kelly and wife Marilyn of Clinton; and a sister, Melanie Custer and husband Jonathan of Clinton; and many nieces and nephews. Other close friends and family include: Kevin Young and wife Amanda and children Ashlyn and Kenneth of Fayetteville, Margi Young-Morris and husband Ian and daughter Haley of Fayetteville, Suzanne Szalkiewicz and husband Michael and children Mikey and Alex of Wilmington, and Doris Mott of Harrells.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Gordon Rabie and Mary Parker Kelly; a brother, David Kelly; a sister, Helen Kelly Thornton; and his best friend, John Mott.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Tribute Program, P.O. Box 1000 Dept 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142.

The family of Roland Lee Kelly Sr. thanks all of the many family and friends who have provided love, encouragement and support during this time.
 

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