With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved son, brother, uncle and friend, Richard Dale Kelley, who left us far too soon. He was a man with a heart too big for this world—someone who would give you the shirt off his back, even if it meant falling behind. Helping others wasn't something he thought about—it was simply who he was.

Ricky loved the outdoors, particularly fishing. Going out on the water is what he did almost every weekend growing, up taking his sisters whenever they asked. Ricky lived life on his own terms. He didn't ask for permission, and he didn't need your advice. He had a fierce independence, a stubbornness that could drive you crazy—but that same strength helped him survive storms that most never saw.
Ricky endured and overcame many obstacles in his life. After receiving a life-changing kidney transplant there were glimpses of a renewed spirit, hope and light.

Since his passing, an overwhelming outpouring of love has come from people we've never met—memories from strangers who were once helped, lifted, or simply seen by him.

He leaves behind a family who loved him deeply and friends who will never forget the impact of his presence. He was preceded in death by his grandmother Betty Hendrix; grandmother, Marie Gudger Kelley and grandfather Jesse W. Kelley; sister Celeste Kelley Carrender and was survived by his loving mother, Gwenda and Jerry Kelley; father Roger Kelley (Christina); sisters Jessica and Brian Jackson, Shannon and Tyler Hawkins,
Margaret and Chase Reis, Lauryn Johnson and brother Jerry Wayne Jr. and Angie Kelley; aunt Patricia Draper; uncle James and Jane Kelley and great uncle Bobby and Sue Guger, and many nieces and nephews and close friend Ashley Harper.

We will forever carry him with us—in the lives he touched, the kindness he showed, and the freedom with which he lived.

Visitation will be Tuesday, August 12th from 10:00 - 11:00 AM at Berryhill Funeral Home.  Service will follow at 11:00 with Rev. Bobby Burt officiating. Burial will be in New Home Cemetery at New Home Baptist Church, 610 Co. Rd. 1753, Holly Pond, AL 35083.