John Talmadge Kelly, Jr.

John Talmadge Kelly, Jr. was born the third of nine children to Josephine Kelly (née Troy) and John Talmadge Kelly, Sr. in the small Southern town of Leland, North Carolina on June 2, 1941. Seven of his siblings preceded him in death: Mary, George, Helen, Don, Glenda, Paula, and Joseph. His younger sister Elizabeth Paige, with whom he had a special close relationship, is still living.

While growing up in the country, he took full advantage of what nature had to offer. He would often go hunting for small animals and fishing at Alligator Creek with his brother Don and would cook what he caught and hunted and shared with his family. He would often spend time in nature just enjoying the peace and quiet with his dogs Tippy and Brick Bro.

Although John enjoyed playing and relaxing he was also a hard worker in school always getting A’s no matter how challenging the subject. His grades were so stellar that each quarter the teachers would often parade around his report card to the other children as an example to aspire to emulate.

He also had an early sense of responsibility and wanted to contribute to his family financially which led him to try to join the military at the age of 16 using a fake birth certificate; however, it was discovered, and he was not allowed to join. This led him to travel North to live with a relative in Baltimore, Maryland who offered to help him find work while he completed his high school education.

He enrolled in Dunbar High School where he met a special friend Sonda Chambers and later successfully joined the army, because he was of age, in 1958. He spent six years in the military and was honorably discharged in 1964 receiving recognition as a sharp shooter. After leaving the military he came back to Baltimore and rekindled the friendship he had with Sonda, and they eventually got married. During the marriage he became the proud father to Seanne his first born child and Keith his first son. However, John and Sonda would later divorce in 1970.

One day in 1971 a dear friend of John’s named Mattie Shepherd introduced him to one of her coworkers Thelma Ruth Edwards. John and Thelma were married in 1974 and stayed married for forty nine years. During their union, John was the proud father of Steven, Stacey, Seannise, and Erica. He was also the proud uncle to his beloved nephew Laforrest Damon Morgan.

During his time after the military, John held multiple jobs: a police officer, corrections officer, and warehouse worker at Glidden where he stayed for thirty four years and made many good friends including life long friendships with Charles Skeeters and Harry Flythe that he held dear until his passing.

John had many hobbies. He loved to read and did so everyday whether it was the newspaper, fiction or non fiction books. He also enjoyed Star Trek, westerns, Doo Wop music, playing pool, and horse shoes. John also loved sports. His favorite baseball team was the Orioles no matter how bad they were doing and his favorite football team was whoever played the Ravens.

In addition to his above named family, Johnny Boy, as his family members affectionately call him, will be remembered and missed by a host of nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great grandchildren and friends. We will miss his fiery wit, his uncanny ability to speak with no filter, his generosity, and protective nature. We love you, Johnny Boy now and forever and cannot wait to welcome you back in paradise.