Hubert C. Kelly

Hubert C. Kelly, 86, of Morganton, NC, died Friday, August 29, 2008 at Grace Hospital following a brief illness. Born in Gaston County, NC, he was the son of the late Troy Mathias Kelly and Mary Warren Kelly. Hubert was a member of Calvary Baptist Church where he was a former deacon and training union director.He served with the U. S. Navy in WWII as a flight engineer and gunner. He served from June 1942 until December 1945. Hubert received a commendation from the Navy for action on a patrol plane on January 5, 1944 in the Atlantic Ocean.Hubert retired from Great Lakes Carbon Corp. with thirty years of service as a supervisor. Prior to his employment at Great Lakes Carbon, he worked at Ross Fabrics and Jacquard Mills. Following his retirement he worked part-time for various area grocery and convenience stores and a local sports complex.Mr. Kelly was an active member of the Corvair Society of America. He participated in car shows all over the southeast. He attended his Navy unit reunions all over the U.S. He enjoyed walking with his buddies at Bethel Park and was a participant in Senior Olympics.Hubert is survived by his wife, Irene Buff Kelly of the home; sons, Ron Kelly and wife, Jill, of Durham, NC and Jody Kelly and wife, Tracy, of Apex, NC; daughters, Dereama Coffin and husband, Gary, and Tammy Packard and husband, Wayne, all of Morganton; grandchildren, Kirsten Marett and husband, Jeff, Kelsey Webb and husband, Tim, Kelly Packard, Dana Packard, Lindsey Packard, Alex Kelly, and Emily Kelly; great-grandchildren, Hunter Marett, Madison Marett, and Cooper Webb; sisters, Helen Lail of Morganton and Betty May of Andrews, NC; and a sister-in-law, Paris Kelly of Valdese, NC.In addition to his parents, Hubert was preceded in death by brothers, Odell, Everette, Robert, Basil, and Billy Kelly; and sisters, Martha Rimmer and Evelyn "Kitty" Morgan.

The funeral will be held at 3:00 p.m., Monday, September 1, 2008 at Calvary Baptist Church with Rev. Larry Thompson officiating. Burial will follow in Burke Memorial Park with military honors to be performed by Valdese American Legion Post #234. The family will receive friends on Monday at the church from 1:30 until 3:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Calvary Baptist Church, 407 S. Green Street, Morganton, NC 28655. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.