Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 9, 2020 at the Billy M. King-Colonial Chapel Funeral Home in Collins for Ernest Madison Kelly, 69 of Seminary, who passed away on Friday, February 7, 2020 at the Covington County Hospital from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

Dr. Timothy Hubbard will officiate at the services with interment to follow in the Seminary Cemetery in Seminary with military rites at graveside.  Special music will be provided by Mrs. Melanie Hubbard, Dr. Timothy Hubbard, and Mr. Richard Thames.  Billy M. King-Colonial Chapel Funeral Home in Collins will be in charge of the arrangements.

Visitation will be held from 12:30 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 9, 2020 at the Billy M. King-Colonial Chapel Funeral Home in Collins.

Pallbearers will be Randy Smith, Wayne Smith, Rusty Highstreet, Mark Thrash, Joseph Wallace, Ricky Bishop, and Cole Kelly.

Mr. Kelly was born on May 24, 1950 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.  He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather.  Mr. Kelly graduated from Seminary High School in 1969 and then earned a Bachelor's Degree in Physical Education from Delta State University.  He then furthered his education by earning a Master's Degree in both History and Administration from William Carey University.  Mr. Kelly retired after twenty five years of service as a coach and teacher in the Jones County School System.  He served in the United States Army for thirteen years.  Mr. Kelly was a member of the Seminary Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his father, Ernest Merle Kelly.

Survivors include his wife of fifty years, Chris Neal Kelly of Seminary; his mother, Frances Smith Kelly of Seminary; one son, Chad Kelly, and his wife, Julia of Coldwater; two daughters, Keri Kelly Thrash, and her husband, Mark of Seminary, and Jessi Kelly Wallace , and her husband, Joseph of Petal; one brother, James Allen Kelly, and his wife, Dawn of Seminary; one sister, Kay Kelly Whitworth, and her husband, Breck of Gulfport;  seven grandchildren,  Cole Kelly, Sallie Elise Kelly, Anna Kate Adams, Jacob Thrash, Dalton Thrash, Ryleigh Wallace, and Raegan Wallace; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other family members.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers that memorials be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, Tennessee, 38105.

Family and friends may sign an online guestbook at www.billymkingcolonialchapel.com