Roderett Bennett Kelly, Sr.

Roderett Bennett Kelly, Sr., affectionately known as “Kelly,” was born January 2, 1957 at Cook County Hospital located in Chicago, IL to Mr. Ernst Kelly and Mrs. Essie Mae Kelly. Both parents proceed him in death, in addition to his loving brother, Russell Willington; and his sister, Chrissie Willington. Shortly after birth, his parents re-located and he would spend his adolescent and teenage years being raised in Columbia, Louisiana

Kelly, accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at St. Peter’s Baptist Church in Columbia, Louisiana under the leadership of the Late Rev. Brown.

Kelly, received his elementary and high school education through the Caldwell Parish School System in Columbia, Louisiana.

For some people it takes a life time to meet the love of your life, but at the early age of 17 Kelly met Ms. Ruth Ann Brown whom he affectionately called “Van” The two would unite in Holy Matrimony on June 4, 1975 in Chicago, IL. To this union three beautiful children were born, two daddy girls and his Junior.  The two kindred souls shared an inseparable bond. When you saw Kelly, you saw Ruth no questions asked. The loved they shared we all got the pleasure of enjoying.  It was always good times at Kelly’s house located on the Westside of Chicago, it didn’t have to be anybody’s birthday, anniversary or graduation. The entire family was always invited to relax, unwind and have good conversation and enjoy good music and share lots of laughter and let’s not forget the smells of good catfish and yes you guessed it some good ole ribs. The children would be playing, the family would be bonding, and as Kelly would say “Everything was Straight”.

Upon completing school and seeing that jobs were plentiful in the North, Kelly decided to migrate to Chicago, IL and make Chicago his home for over 20 plus years.  In his quest to achieve more and more work opportunities Kelly also made Austin Texas and Maryland Virginia his home as well.  But it was in 1989 he would relocate back to Chicago and get hired at Color For Plastics.  It’s at Color For Plastics he would climb the ladder of success and become one of the company’s most valuable employees.  Kelly held several positions within the company from Shipping & Receiving Clerk, Batch Maker, Line Filler, Jeep Driver and his last position being Maintenance Supervisor.  His 33 ½ years of employment and dedication was self- evident when he packed up his family and relocated to Spartanburg, SC. During his tenure at Colors he gained so many great relationships he considered them one big family.  His bond with the owner Jack Dalleska, was so amazing he adopted him as his second dad.  If you knew Kelly you knew he was making great preparation to retire very soon, he was blessed to purchase his retirement home in Columbia, La. and got to enjoy it every chance he got!

Kelly, enjoyed the simple things in life, a total day of relaxation for him was his music, his grill, and his family and friends. Music spoke to his soul and he felt every beat and loved every lyric. He truly loved and appreciated all genres of music.  On any given weekend you could catch Kelly doing what he enjoyed the best, firing up his grill and cooking his Mouthwatering, Falling Off The Bone, Licking Your Fingers Barbeque Ribs and if you were lucky, you got some of his melt in your mouth homemade spaghetti!  He was truly a Grill Master and Excellent Cook!

In addition to his many other talents, he was also known and even nicknamed “Oil Can” and or “Oil Can Harry”, he was a master of his own craft.  He was a self-taught mechanic and was able to bless so many by servicing and fixing their cars. He would work and work on your car until he got it right, and by the time you came and picked up your car, his hands would look like a pure oil can and that’s from whence the nickname generated from.

Kelly, absolutely had a heart of gold!  If he could help, he would help! If you needed him, he was there! If you invited him to your event, he was coming. He was the sole provider for his family and he made sure they got everything they needed.  His affectionate spirit captured others and everyone loved to be around “Roderett Bennett Brewster Oil Can Harry Kelly Sr”.  His presence will be missed for many years to come; we pray he forever shadow us with his loving spirit.

On August 8th, 2022 Kelly didn’t grab his tool box filled with screw drivers and wrenches, but he grabbed his tool box full of love, kindness, generosity, humbles and meekness for he knew those were the tools he has always used and need at that chosen time.  Although his passing may seem untimely to us, God needed a Good Mechanic to help continue to build up the kingdom we will miss you dearly Kelly, but we know God needed you the most. Kelly, your presence will be missed for many years to come but we pray you forever shadow us with your loving spirit.

Kelly  leaves to cherish his memories his loving wife of 47 years Mrs. Ruth Ann Kelly, his four children; Melissa Whiteside (Dennis) of Spartanburg, SC., Roderrett Kelly Jr. of Spartanburg, SC., Roshonda A. Kelly Of Spartanburg, SC., Keunte Jones Sr. of Chicago, IL. Six Grandchildren, Parianna Flowers, Paris Flowers, Brianna Wooten, Makayla Rice, Keunte Jones Jr. and Kavion Jones. Two Great-Grand Children, Adrianna Flowers and Egypt Flowers, Three sisters, Pam Kelly of Columbia, La. Denise Kelly of Columbia, La. And Katie Harris of Ferriday, La.  Two Brothers, Michael Moore and Ken Nash of Columbia, La., Three God Children, Naomi Johnson of Lafayette, La., Ivan Stinson of Monroe La .and Danyelle Butler of Monroe La. and a plethora of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

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