James Allen Kelly
(October 14, 1951 – November 9, 2023)

Funeral services will be held at 3:30 pm on Sunday, November 12, 2023 at the Seminary Baptist Church in Seminary for James Allen Kelly, 72 of Seminary, who passed away on Thursday, November 9, 2023 at the Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg.

Dr. Timothy Hubbard, Mr. Michael Blackwell, and Mr. Bill Bustin will officiate at the services with interment to follow in the Seminary Cemetery in Seminary.  Special music will be provided by Luke Williams, Kayla Berry, Bill Rogers, Donna Wilcosky, and Melanie Hubbard.  Billy M. King-Colonial Chapel Funeral Home in Collins will be in charge of the arrangements.

Visitation will be held from 12:30 pm until 3:30 pm on Sunday, November 12, 2023 at the Seminary Baptist Church, 220 East Main Street, Seminary, Mississippi.

Pallbearers will be Jon O`Neal, Clark Graves, Tony Welborn, Ken Ashley, T.J. Mixon, Robert Aultman, Andrew Griffon, and Jimmy Gooch. Honorary pallbearers will be Wayne Smith, Clifford Blake, Randy Smith, Mike Morgan, David Patterson, Buddy Patterson, Chad Kelly, and Garrett Whitworth.

James Allen was a loving husband, dedicated father, and a proud grandfather. He was the spiritual leader of the family that he loved dearly. He wore many hats throughout his life. To many he was a coach, a teacher, or an administrator. He served many years as a Sunday school teacher and a deacon at Seminary Baptist Church. James Allen loved to encourage others and gave so much of his time investing in the lives of many. To know James Allen was to love him, he was full of life and laughter and never met a stranger.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest Merle Kelly and Frances Smith Kelly; and one brother, Madison Kelly.

Survivors include his wife of fifty years, Dawn McInnis Kelly of Seminary;   one son, Skyler Kelly of Seminary;  two daughters, Kayla Kelly Sanford (Justin) of Seminary and Laura Beth Kelly Bailey (Jonathan) of Brandon;  one sister, Kay Kelly Whitworth (Breck) of Gulfport; four grandchildren, Jaycee Kelly, Bryson Bailey, Tyson Bailey, and Rowan Herring; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other family members.

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