Bennie Fred Kelley

Mr. Bennie Fred Kelley, age 83, of the Goodman Community, passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, August 21, 2026, at Meadowlawn Cemetery with Dr. John Granger and Bro. Shane Traylor officiating and Searcy Funeral Home and Crematory directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 10:00 AM until 10:45 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial contributions be made in Bennie's honor to Leverett Lodge #678 (3421 County Road 606, Enterprise, AL 36330) or to a charity of one's choice.

He was born on April 1, 1943, to his loving parents, Marshall George Washington "Bunk" and Kumie Money Kelley. A proud 1961 graduate of Kinston High School, Bennie early on worked alongside his mother and brother at Bama Cotton Mills. He later dedicated his professional life to aircraft maintenance, building a long and distinguished career with Sikorsky and DynCorp before retiring in 2003. Bennie was also a dedicated Mason and member of Leverett Lodge #678, recently celebrating a remarkable 60 years of Masonic membership.

Outside of work, Bennie was an avid golfer who spent countless happy hours on local courses with good friends. He loved piddling and tinkering in his barn with his tractors, farm equipment, and carpentry projects. Bennie took immense pride in keeping his grass neatly manicured and could often be found spending hours on his lawnmower. He also enjoyed gardening, harvesting fresh vegetables during the summer, and gathering pecans in the fall.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Marshall and Kumie Kelley, as well as his brothers, Billy Kelley and Bobby Kelley.

Bennie is survived by his devoted wife of thirty years, Joyce Merle Childs Kelley; his sons, Mike Kelley (Sheila) and Jay Kelley; his sister, Brenda Jones; along with his seven cherished grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.