Army Private Specialist Larry Jackson Kelly, 70, of Jolo, WV, passed away Tuesday, September 22, 2020 in the Holston Valley Medical Center in Holston Valley, TN.
Larry was born January 5, 1950 in Jolo, WV, a son of the late Lenard and Maria Kelly.  He was a Vietnam Veteran who while serving his country received the National Defense Service Medal. Vietnam Service Medal, Republic Vietnam Campaign Medal w/device, Rifle Sharpshooter Medal, Good conduct Medal, and Precise Power Gun Medal.  After the army he worked for the board of education for two years and then Norfolk and Southern Railroad where he retired after 36 years. Larry was an avid hunter and fisherman which he loved doing with his daughters and grandchildren.  He was also a member of the caretta Conservation Club.
In addition to his parents, Larry was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Cooper; his father-in-law, Reverend Glenn Blankenship; a great niece, Lyndsie Grace Blankenship; and his best friend, Johnny Patterson.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 49 years, Betty Kelly of the home; two daughters, Ella Kelly and Mary Dobbs and husband Jerry all of Jolo; grandchildren, Chelsey Dobbs of Knoxville, TN, Kaitlyn Dobbs and fiancé Corey Cline, Daniel Dobbs, and Bryce Dobbs all of Jolo, WV, and Brittany Steele of Knoxville, TN; mother-in-law, Hazel Blankenship of Jolo; brother, James “ Jim” Kelly and wife Cathy of Jolo; brothers-in-law, Johnny and Sarah Blankenship and Mose Cooper all of Jolo, and Glen and Donna Blankenship  of Hamlin, WV; 15 nieces and nephews and 8 great nieces and nephews. 
Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, September 26, 2020 at 12 o’clock with Reverend Roger Hale Jr. and Reverend Randall Dority officiating at the Chapel of Fanning Funeral Home in Iaeger, WV.  Burial will follow in the Beulah Land Cemetery on Rockridge near Paynesville, WV.  Military rites will be conducted by the VFW Post #1144. 
Serving as pallbearers will be Daniel Dobbs, Corey Cline, Bradley Blankenship, Leslie Kelly, Leonard Cooper, Roy Payne, Johnny Blankenship, Glen Blankenship, Michael Poore, and Mark Kennedy.  Honorary pallbearers will be Jerry Dobbs, Bryce Dobbs, Jimmy Kelly, Aaron Blankenship, Noah Kennedy, Gordon Mullins, Jake Kelly, Michael Kelly, Parker Kennedy and Theo Hagerman.
Friends may visit with the family Friday evening, September 25, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Chapel of Fanning Funeral Home in Iaeger, WV.  An evening service will be held at 7 p.m.
Services will be held in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines, mask are to be worn by all attending and social distancing is to be practiced with no more than 25 people in attendance.
Fanning Funeral Home in Iaeger, WV, is assisting the family.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.fanningfuneralhomes.com