Max Allen Kelly

Saturday, November 17, 1928 - Saturday, August 31, 2024

Max Allen Kelly was born November 17th, 1928 passed away at his home surrounded by his family on August 31, 2024, he was 95 years old. He was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Sarah Jaquline Hagler Kelly, parents General Clyde and Agnes Black Kelly, 3 brothers Parker, Charles and Tony Kelly and 3 sisters Virginia Kelly Murphy, Frances Kelly Wood and Kathryn Kelly Tidwell. 

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, September 16, 2024 in the chapel of Sorrells Funeral Home in Slocomb with Rev. Larry Newton and Rev. Joe Bush officiating.

He is survived by his daughter Vanessa Kelly Epperson (Joe), his grandchildren, Tasha Karr (Chad Sorrells), Sean Karr and Louis Epperson, sister-in-law Gwen Seeliger (Chuck) and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Max grew up in Fadette AL and graduated from Slocomb High School. After graduating he joined the Army where he served during the Korean war and was an instructor for most of the 6 years he enlisted. Upon leaving the military he married Sarah Jaquline Kelly and attended Auburn University where he earned his bachelors of science in Business.  After graduation he began his career with NASA at Redstone Arsenal. At NASA he worked on the Saturn V, Space Shuttle, Space Telescope and HEAO project as a Contracting Officer for 30 years. He and Jackie invested in real estate as a side business throughout their career and after. Upon retiring they relocated to Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands where he filled his days with golf, socializing and watching the sun set over the Pacific Ocean. He and his wife loved seeing the world together. He had a passion for serving the Lord and his church. He studied the bible and took great pride in teaching his Sunday School Class at First United Methodist Church of Slocomb. He took great joy in his grandchildren and spent hours over the last 15 years of his life on the back porch with various friends and family members discussing life, politics and 90 years of memories. 

His family would like to thank Rosetter Gomes who cared for him and Jackie the last 4 years of their lives, his long-term Doctor Justin Hovey, Southerncare Hospice and his nurses Shannon and Kara and other family and friends that helped over the last several years so he could live out his life at home. 

In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to Union Baptist Church Cemetery fund P.O. Box 1253 Slocomb, AL 36375