Robert Leonard Kelly, 79, of Dallas passed away at his home under the care of Gaston Hospice. Robert loved God. He read his Bible daily and he greatly admired preachers and those that served professionally in their Christian roles. He supported preachers and missionaries with prayer, but also financially. Robert proudly served his country in The United States Army. When he returned from the service he worked at Homelite, but most of his career was at Sunshine Uniform Service where he worked for 34 years before he retired. He had the name “Mr. Sunshine” because of his sunny disposition. He was friendly and he smiled all the time. He enjoyed making videos and his family says he was quite the sleeper and he could eat nearly anything. He was a dear man and he will be greatly missed by his family, his church, his friends, his neighbors and all that knew and loved him.
Robert is the son of the late Bonnie Mae (Ellis) Kelly and Claude Kelly.
Robert is survived by his wife of 54 years, Wanda (Mecum) Kelly; sons, Robert Kelly, Jr. and his wife Shannon (Burson) Kelly and Christopher Kelly; two grandchildren, Savanna Kelly and Michael “Chase” Kelly and his sister, Mary Ann Sellers.
A service celebrating the life of Robert will be held at 6:00 PM on Sunday evening, January 1, 2023 at North Gaston Church of God, 1310 Dallas Cherryville Highway, Dallas, North Carolina. The family will receive friends before the service at the church two hours before the service beginning at 4:00 PM. A graveside committal with full military honors accorded by The United States Army and The Gaston County Honor Guard will be on Monday January 2, 2023 in The Garden of Honor at Gaston Memorial Park, 2205 Williamsburg Drive, Gastonia. Reverend Andy Nicholson is the officiant and he will offer words of encouragement and hope to family and friends that gather to remember Robert. Tim Mecum, Randolph Taylor, Daniel Perry, Mark Bolick, Lee Welch and Jeff Lowery are Robert’s pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made in Robert’s name to Robin Johnson Hospice House in Dallas, NC.
Fond memories of Robert and condolences for the family may be left at www.carothersfuneralhomegastonia.com.
