Webber Jay Kelly

Funeral services for Webber J. “Webb” Kelly will be held on Friday, July 25th, beginning at 11:00am at Neshoba Baptist Church with Bro. Will Savell officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow in the church cemetery where Webb will be laid to rest next to his beloved wife, Betty.

Mr. Kelly, age 88, passed into our Savior’s arms on Monday, July 21st, at the family home he lovingly built. Webb grew up in Union, MS and lived in Neshoba and Union his entire life. He and Betty, his loving wife, were married for 68 wonderful years, until her passing in 2023. Enlisting in the United States Army in June of 1954, he served our country honorably until April 1963.

A man of many abilities, Webb was a beef cattle rancher, tree farmer, and worked in the construction industry; having built many Sears and Roebuck stores in the Southeast, and residential homes. He was a savvy businessman, who invested in various real estate opportunities. Webb painted art and carved primitive folk art, such as animals, people, and farm tools. He said, “Growing up during the depression, we were too poor to have toys, so we made them”. Much of his work has been given to his friends. For instance, if his friend were a doctor, Webb would carve a stethoscope onto the coat or if he were a farmer, Webb would carve the farmer holding a shovel. He built a tall cross on 8th Street in Meridian, placed a quarter on top of it, and made sure to tell his children about it every time they passed it. Webb also built the brick sign in front of Neshoba Baptist Church, where he was a long-time member.

He was a skilled Domino player and enjoyed watching his favorite Westerns on tv. His many musical talents (self-taught) were playing the violin, guitar, harmonica, and piano, which he played and sang, “You Are My Sunshine” each morning to get the children up for school. To know him, was to love him. He could remember everyone he had ever met throughout his lifetime. He seemed to have the Master’s touch from his early years in life but in the last of life’s stage, he would tell you that it’s never too late to receive the true touch of the Master. And that’s the most important touch of all.

Mr. Kelly is survived by his children, daughter, Lynette Fulton and her husband, Tommy, of Laurel, MS, son, Ricky Kelly of Union, MS, and daughter, Rhonda Bounds and her husband, Tony, of Union, MS; his sister, Helen Pilgrim of Arlington, TX; his grandchildren, Laurie Stewart and her husband, Daniel, of Sumrall, MS, Paige Ridout and her husband, Trent, of Little Rock, MS, Chas Lashley and his wife, Skylar, of Union, MS; along with his great grandchildren, Maddie Stewart, Mary Taylor Stewart, Addie Lashley, Rylee Lashley, Micah Lashley, and Noah Ridout.

Webb was preceded in death by his wife, Betty, and his parents, Ike and Elsie Kelly.

The family would like to extend special appreciation to Pat Brown, Regina Hollinsworth, Sherry Mitchell, Lorri Hillhouse, and Joyce Blalock for being compassionate and loving caregivers to their father.

Serving as pallbearers for Mr. Kelly’s service will be Chas Lashley, Daniel Stewart, Trent Ridout, Robert Pilgrim, Brian Gordon, and Bennie Anderson. Honorary pallbearers are Tommy Fulton, Bobby Smith, Tommy Waddle, Tony Bounds, and Robert Ezelle.

The staff of Webb & Stephens Funeral Homes-Union is grateful for the opportunity to honor Webb’s life and memory and to serve his loving family during this time.