H.F. Kelly

Hugh Friendly Kelly, 99, of Wilson, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, September 12, 2024.

Funeral, Tuesday, 2:00 PM, First United Methodist Church, followed by visitation.

H.F. was known as a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was loyal member of the McDonalds’s coffee club and a good steward of his community.

H.F. was born in Rock Hill, SC on August 30, 1925 to Virginia and Hugh Kelly. He moved to Wilson in 1940 for his high school years. He proudly served his country in WWII stationed in Guam. Then he returned home to his education at Atlantic Christian College and to marry his high school sweetheart Reid Wells. Work took them away from Wilson from 1966 to 2000. During his later years at 88, H.F. became an artist and became involved in Wilson’s art community.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Hugh and Virginia Durham Kelly; sister, Elizabeth Kelly Barnes; wife, Reid Wells Kelly in 1998; second wife, Winifred Petty Kelly in 2013.

H.F. is survived by his daughters, Virginia “Ginny” Lassiter and husband, Joe, of Wilson and Ocean Isle Beach and Elizabeth “Betsy” Russell and husband, Buddy, of Wilson; granddaughter, Anna King Bailes of Mount Pleasant, SC; grandson, Scott Summerfield and wife, Liz, of Bakersville; great-granddaughter, Roby Leigh Summerfield; great-grandsons, Noah, Dylan, and Drew Bailes. He will be remembered by his grandchildren as a good listener and a confidant.

Other family includes nieces and nephew, Patsy Rivenbark (Dannie), Howard Barnes (Gail), and Kelly Barnes; step-grandchildren, Deirdre Hickman, Jocassa Loop (Brian), Pamela Lassiter, and Melissa Caveny (Brian); seven step-grandchildren, and a step great-grandson; special first cousins; H.F. was the force that kept the South Carolina cousin clan together for many years; special family friend and caregiver, Rhonda Zimmerman.

The family is especially grateful for Brentwood Home Healthcare Agency and Gentiva Hospice.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church Endowment Fund, PO Box 1423, Wilson, NC 27894. 

Arrangements by Wilson Memorial Service, 2811 Fieldstream Dr. N, Wilson, 237-7171; www.wilsonmemorialservice.com