Robert Darrell Kelley, 55, of Athens, died Sunday, April 18, 2010.

A native of Knox County, and a resident of McMinn County since 1969, he was a graduate of the University of Tennessee, and was a member of North Athens Baptist Church. He was a former employee of J. Ben Forrest Hardware in Niota, Holston Gas Company, Athens Utilities Board and Crescent Hosiery Mill. He was preceded in death by his wife, Karen Denise Ballew Kelley, on Oct. 7, 1998; his mother, Shirley Ann Trentham Kelley, on June 16, 1999; and one sister, Susan Yvette Kelley Knight, on Aug. 11, 2009.

Survivors include his father, the Rev. Robert D. "Bob" Kelley of Niota; one niece, Holly Aleese Knight of Niota; one nephew, Matthew Knight of Niota; a great-nephew, Riley Clendenen of Niota; great-niece and great-nephew, twins Jude and Jenna Knight, both of Niota; aunt and uncle, Robert and Dorothy Mayes of Knoxville; and several cousins.

Graveside services will be 11 a.m. Monday at McMinn Memory Gardens.