Melvin Bookman Kelly

Melvin Bookman Kelly, 86, of Statesville, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 20, 2019 at the Gordon Hospice House. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday, June 25^th at Broad Street United Methodist Church.  The family will receive friends immediately after the service in Memorial Hall at the church.

Melvin was born July 17, 1932 in Statesville, the son of the late Samuel Sartor Kelly and Winifred Sherrill Kelly.  Melvin is survived by his loving wife Ann Taylor Kelly, with whom he shared 63 wonderful years of marriage in Statesville, a community they both love. 

Melvin graduated from Statesville Senior High School in 1950.  That fall, he enrolled at Wofford College in Spartanburg, SC, and competed on both the Men’s golf and tennis teams.  In 1953, Melvin left college to serve his country in the US Army, and was stationed in Germany until 1955.  In November of 1955, he married Ann Webb Taylor and settled into what would be a long career as a furniture designer and business owner.  After beginning his career alongside his uncles Flake and Joe Sherrill at Sherrill Furniture Co., Melvin went on to start several furniture businesses, which included operating Glen Eagle Furniture Inc. for 30 years.  Melvin was very active in the Statesville Jaycees, and served as a National Vice President.  He was also involved locally in the Rotary Club of Statesville and at his church, Broad Street United Methodist.

Melvin loved his family and worked hard to build his business, but he also had a life-long passion for the game of golf.  In many ways, playing golf defined much of his adult life.  It included not only successes on the course, but more importantly led to great friendships that he cherished. 

In addition to his wife Ann, Melvin is survived by their two children, Kim Kelly Mann and husband Will Mann of Winston-Salem, and Mel B. Kelly Jr. and wife Anne Team Kelly of Charlotte.  Also surviving are four grandchildren who loved their “Pops”, Mary Taylor Mann, Katharine Kelly Mann, Elinor Carr Kelly and Samuel Henderson Kelly.  Melvin also is survived by his beloved sister, Winifred Kelly Holton of Statesville. Melvin and Winifred shared a special sibling bond, and their families have always been especially close.  Also surviving are two nieces, Kelly Holton Feimster and husband Wesley, and Susan Holton Turner and husband Jerry; great-nieces Taylor Foushee and husband Jordan, Wini Connolly and husband Brian,  and Casey Clendenin; and great-nephews Logan Feimster and Matthew Turner.

The family asks that any memorials be made to one of the following organizations: Broad Street United Methodist Church Music Fund, the Mitchell Community College Endowment for Excellence, the United Way of Iredell County Endowment for the Future, or the Gordon Hospice House.

Troutman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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