Funeral services for Mr. Bennie Kelley of Ruston will be held at 10:00 AM, Friday, May 17, 2019 at Hodge United Pentecostal Church in Hodge, LA with Rev. Jeff Stroud and Rev. David Goza officiating.  Burial will follow in Antioch Cemetery in Quitman, LA under direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Ruston, LA.

Bennie was born July 12, 1938 in Hodge, LA to Benjamin and Mandy Kelley. He passed on to Heaven's Glory on May 14, 2019 at 80 years of age.  He retired from the Jackson Parish School Board in 2003. There was no one who could out work him! FAITH, FAMILY and FRIENDS! He loved his family with a great passion and set a Godly example for all to follow. Bennie was a member of the Hodge United Pentecostal Church and was a Champion of Faith and Truth! He would do anything for anyone, always willing to lend a helping hand!  He loved spending time in the great outdoors, hunting, fishing, camping and trail riding. Bennie lived life to the fullest, but there was nothing he was more passionate about than loving on his 'Babies'!!

Bennie is survived by his wife of 62 years, Barbara Jean Diffey Kelley; five children: Earl Kelley and wife Kathy of Tyler, TX, Shelby Kelley and wife Sybil of Ruston, LA, Ernie Kelley and wife Robyn of Ruston, LA, Patti Kelley Martin and husband Paul of Ruston, LA and Melody Kelley Treadway and husband Patrick of Longview, TX; a special nephew, Ronnie Carbonneau and wife Kim of Marysville, TN, who he treated as a son; brother, Randal Kelley of Mobile, AL; sister, Billy Joyce Pettis of Mobile, AL; 13 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, a host of nieces and nephews and very special friends, Denise and David Chestnut and many, many other friends and relatives.

Serving as pallbearers will be his grandsons: Nathan Kelley, David Kelley, Paul "Marty" Martin, Layton Martin, Garrison Williams, Brian Stewart and honorary pallbearer, Stephen Brown.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM, Thursday, May 16, 2019 at the church.