Lemon Kelley Jr.'s Obituary
Lemon Kelley Jr, 74, passed away, December 8, 2023. Lemon was born in Jackson, Michigan on July 11, 1949, the youngest child of Lemon Kelley Sr. and Mathie Willingham Kelley.
He graduated from Jackson High School in 1967. He enjoyed singing and won many solo and group Jackson High School Talent Shows. His hobbies consisted of fishing, wood carving, traveling, when he had his saxophone he could play Mr. Magic by Grover Washington by memory, he also enjoyed dancing, country music, blues and scratch off lottery tickets. He had a unique taste in fashion and enjoyed wearing his cowboy hats and fashionable boots.
Lemon’s passion for painting started during the many summers with his brothers and cousins working at his dad’s business called Kelley & Sons to earn money for school clothes and supplies. He continued the legacy throughout his adult life and traveled to various states painting commercial restaurants and hotel franchises, and later establishing his own business KelleyCo. Painting.
Lemon accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior at the age of twelve at Second Baptist Church under the late Pastor Amos Polk Williams. He recommitted his life to Jesus Christ at Oasis of Love Full Gospel Church in 1994, under the shepherding of Pastor Walter T. Pryor. Lemon operated in the Gift of Helps and was an Usher and Greeter at Oasis. As his painting company flourished, he also volunteered his painting skills at Oasis, other local churches, and agencies.
Lemon was married to Bettie Ester Kelley till her death in November 2012. He is survived by his special partner and Earthly Angel Dallarie Haney of Jackson, MI. brothers: Jeverson (Wilma) Kelley of Lansing, Sylvester Kelley of Alabama, James (Cynthia) Kelley of Jackson, MI., and Joe Rufus of Jackson.
Lemon had no biological children, so he chose to shower his love and attention on his extended nieces and nephews. His pride and joy were his family and adopting others to be apart of it. He enjoyed life to his fullest, had a contagious laughter and earnest desire to help others. On his many birthdays he would have a Niece and Nephew Barbeque to celebrate them.
Lemon was preceded in death by his parents Lemon and Mathie Kelley, brothers, Leroy, Cleothes, M.W and Joe Kelley, and sister Eather Kelley Gillespie. He is survived by many nieces, nephews, including great and great-great nieces and nephews, cousins, and close friends
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