For ever in my memories.  Currently, seven years since my last memory.  

I was friends with Pastor Tom Kelly for a few years. He was my spiritual father. whom I admired for those years that I knew him. was a great man of faith and was so good to his family and with his church Clovis Hills Community Church. we had a men's bible study every Wednesday morning at 6 am. it was awesome. plus we would do things together on  a weekly basis's. I miss my friend I know he is up in heaven with my dad James Troup they had a blast together. Thank You Pastor Tom Kelly for everything you taught me about the bible and life. Joey 

With all our hearts, Teri and Sandra.  Audrey, Stephanie, Karen, and I send our condolences.  I know my Uncle would say that he is in a better place.  He taught me that family and education, will get me through life.  He will be missed, and was bigger, badder, and bolder, than any human I have ever know.  God bless.

It was truly a blessing to know your dad and mom.  When they walked through the door to the church, the room would light up.  The love of Christ shined through them.  That is a memory I will never forgot.  It was wonderful to have them in my life.

I met Tom during GriefShare at Clovis Hills. He was a wonderful man filled with joy and faith in The Lord. He always had a smile and never complained. He will be greatly missed.

Tom will never be forgotten. He impacted so many lives for Christ's glory. He was like the sons of Issachar in I Chronicles 12, "who had understanding of the times and knew what Israel ought to do." Tom knew what to do to bridge the racial divide and unify the brethren under the banner of Jesus Christ. He personally was instrumental to lead countless African-American churches to join the mission to reach California for Christ. When Tom spoke, you listened for those one-liners. They etched deep in your soul with enduring spiritual wisdom. I actually quoted him last week to make a spiritual point. "God always pays for what He orders." Tom was a model servant of Christ. No doubt
that he was welcomed into heaven hearing Jesus' words, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."

I'm blessed to have had Jesus direct Tom's and my paths to cross in this world.  I'm honored to call Tom my brother and friend, I can still hear him say "I need to appropriate the finished work of Christ".  Tom was a role model to me in how one should keep the physical and spiritual needs of family a priority.  My condolences to Tom's family, our loss, heaven's gain.  Tom is now home and in the very presence of Jesus.  See you at home brother, you will be missed by myself and many others you have impacted.

Those pictures of  Min. Kelly bring back fond memories of a kind man who touched my life as a new member at Emmanuel Baptist Church.  I remember the evenings under the trees at the church where his teachings shaped and molded my life in my early Christian walk. His wonderful smile and quiet demeanor shall forever be etched in my mind. Gone from us but never to be forgotten.
May God forever keep and bless all of you.

I've lived with my grandpa since I was 3 years old and I am now 21. He raised me and taught me all I needed to know to be able to get through life and be successful. Giving up was never an option to him. He always had the best advice for me to get through anything I was going through at the time. He was my hero and role model. He instilled in me to trust in The Lord and to pray about everything. He attended all my track meets, school events, cheer competitions and even cooked me breakfast every morning. Education and family was important to him. He saved up for me to go to college and always told me that he hopes The Lord will let him live long enough to see me walk across that stage. I am a junior in college and I'm glad he got to see me make it that far. I am going to finish and make him proud! I wish I could have one last conversation with him but God said it was time to go. My grandpa completed his purpose in life and finished the race and I know God is saying "well done Tom." He lived a long fulfilling life and impacted so many people. I'm proud to call him my grandpa! I miss you and love you grandpa.. I can't explain in words how much you meant to me.  See you in heaven!

What a blessing to have known and served with my dear friend and brother Tom Kelly.Our prayers are with the family during this season of sorrow. Know that Brother Tom touched many lives for our Lord Jesus. We love you and thank our Lord for giving Tom to us for many years 

Willie and Marva Simmons

Tom touched so many lives through so many different ministries at Clovis Hills Community Church. I am in awe of how God used Tom to the very end of his time here on earth. Thank you Jesus for allowing me to call Tom my friend and talk with him on Tuesday before you called him home with you!

Our prayers are with you in your time of sorrow, Remember God is still good all the time.

It is with much sadness that we say good bye to our fellow Emmanuel Church  brother and friend. The first time we met Tom, he was on fire for God and likewise the last time we saw him the flame was still burning high in him.

Whenever Tom preached we had to be ready to instantly find all 6 scriptures  he would be using. We will miss our friend. Rest in Peace our brother.


                                                                          Chet & Lorraine Hutchinson

What a treasure Tom was to all of us in GriefShare!  His comfort and wisdom was a huge blessing! He shared his great love for his beautiful Fannie.  It beings us comfort knowing that he has looked upon the face of Jesus and is reunited with his beloved Fannie.  We are praying peace and comfort to his loved ones.

Dear Terri  and Sandra :

What a blessing to have known Bro. Tom Kelly. He was a mentor to me and many people across this country. He make a strong impact on my life. He gave
me advice to make my me a strong ministry leader. we will miss long conversation, he always share God's words with us @ the end of our conversation. Terri and Sandra you have our deepest condolences. Peace and love.
Clarence& Frankie Harvey. Nacogdoches, TX

I was saddened to hear of your loss, and realize many people have lost a blessing from God.  I admired Tom Kelly for his strength of character and his faith. He inspired me early in my ministry with his life and work for the Lord.  I was among the many people he helped.  Throughout my seminary education, Tom Kelly was instrumental in my receiving a scholarship each year for my books through the CSB Black Church Leadership Department. I will continue to be inspired by the actions he took and the things he said while he was alive. He will live in my memories.  

While we are mourning the loss of our dear friend, others are rejoicing to meet him in the heaven!  Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.

I loved my grandpa so much, and I will always remember taking the muffins he would make for his life group, and also when it was just me and him at home we would sit down and talk for so long. Then I would make him some coffee, and my grandpa would let me have a chai tea latte. (My mom doesn't let me have caffeine) or when I had to do multiplication tables all the way to the multiples of 13. My mom would always want me to continue, but he would say..."Teri that's enough now"

Dear Sandra & Family,  

You are in my thoughts and prayers and even though your precious Dad is in heaven with your Mom, I know the loss is great now!  Praying for wisdom and peace on this journey!  

Love you!
Liz

Teri and Family, our deepest condolences.  We are lifting the family up in prayer.  We love you.

Dear Teri, Sandra & family,
While Frankie & I are deeply saddened by Tom's death, we also rejoice in knowing he now occupies the place Jesus promised to prepare for him. We grieve with you over his loss but " not as those who  have no hope" (I Thess. 4:13). Our prayers are with you in this time of sorrow.
Willie McPherson

What a blessing Tom was to all who knew him! He lifted so many of us up in Griefshare sessions.  Always positive and with a good word.I will miss his smile and handshake , but am confident that we will meet again.

There are so many good memories of Tom that I have.  I remember when I first meet Tom when he worked for the Convention and I was doing Student Ministry work.  Later he joined Clovis Hills, the first person from the Convention to do so.

He was a great friend, mentor of sorts, brother in Christ and just an all round good guy!  He operated on "Tom Time" which meant"late" and he was never without a coffee mug [2 Pinks and 2 Creams].  I will miss having him in the Men's Study on Saturdays.

Tom loved Jesus, loved Fanny, loved his family and loved people.  He is at peace and I'm glad that God let my life intersect with his.

Love, 
Dave Love

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

OBITUARY

Thomas Kelly

September 11, 1932 – May 10, 2014

Boice Funeral Home

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