Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Larry L. Kelley, a devoted father, husband, teacher, and friend, passed away peacefully on June 16, 2023, in LaGrange, Georgia.

 Born on Mar. 15, 1947, in Langdale, Alabama, Larry lived a life full of love, selflessness, and intelligence.

Larry was a proud graduate of Valley High School in 1965, and went on to earn his Bachelor’s degree from Auburn University in 1969. 

He later completed his Master’s degree at Columbus State. 

His love for education led him to a fulfilling career as a teacher. 

He began his journey at Doug Baker High School in Columbus, Georgia, before moving on to LaGrange High School, where he taught for over three decades. 

Larry also served as an adjunct professor at Southern Union Community College.

A true Auburn University fan and alumnus, Larry loved his Auburn Tigers and was a political junkie. 

He enjoyed reading, volunteering at West Georgia Hospital, and he was a very active member of the Baptist Tabernacle Church in LaGrange, Georgia. Larry’s life was enriched by the love and support of his family. 

He is survived by his son, Richard Parrish, and his wife, Claudia, of LaGrange, siblings, Linda Brown of Texas, Darren Kelley of West Point, Georgia, and Ronnie Kelley of Lanett, AL, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends. 

Larry was also blessed with the companionship of his devoted and loyal canine companion, “Alice.”     

He was preceded in death by his wife, Linda Starling Kelley; parents, Thomas Etheridge Kelley and Bertha Burdette Kelley; and siblings, Thomas Barron Kelley, Mary O’Dean Sides, James Gregory Kelley, and Eileen Wadkins.           

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 21st, 2023 at 2 P.M. EDT at the Baptist Tabernacle Church in LaGrange, Georgia, with interment following in Johnson Memorial Gardens in Valley, Alabama.  

Larry’s family will be receiving friends at the Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home in Valley Tuesday evening from 6 P.M. EDT until 8 P.M. EDT.

 In lieu of flowers, the family graciously request that memorials be made to the Bethel Baptist Church, 7855 West Point Road, West Point, Georgia 31833, in Larry’s memory to help with the rebuilding and restoration of the church.

Please visit his Memorial Tribute page at www.johnsonbrownservicefh.com to leave a kind message for his family, share a memory of Larry, or to light a Remembrance Candle in his memory.

Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home of Valley is directing.