MSgt Donald James Kelly, USAF (Ret), 86, of Cabot, left this life for his heavenly home on Monday, December 25, 2023.  He was born September 7, 1937 in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania to the late William A and Merle Rogers Kelly.  Don proudly served his country for over twenty years in the United States Air Force.  He was even privileged to participate with fellow veterans in the fiftieth reunion of those who helped build Columbus Air Force Base (Mississippi) in the late 1950's.  In 2005, the veterans gathered to reminisce about their time at CAFB and to share stories of days gone by.  One of the stories Don shared was about getting used to the southern cuisine.  He stated that eating at the base one day he thought he was getting yellow cake, but it turned out to be cornbread.  He's been a meat and potatoes guy ever since.  Don often said that his military career was the highlight of his life.  After his retirement from the Air Force, he continued his civil service as a United States Postal Service Letter Carrier for twenty-three years. In his spare time, Don enjoyed working outside and gardening and was always willing to share everything his garden produced.  He was a member of Zion Hill Baptist Church.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby Jewell Boyd Kelly; sisters, Helen Belles, Marian Marko, Ruth Masgay and Margaret Biniek and brothers, Robert "Bobby", William "Billy", Charles "Sonny" and Joseph Kelly.

Left to cherish his memory and to miss him dearly are his children, Donna Kelly and Robert Dale Kelly (Debbie) and brother, Francis Kelly, as well as numerous extended family members and friends.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Thursday, December 28, 2023 at Zion Hill Baptist Church in Cabot with interment to follow at Sumner Cemetery.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral service beginning at 10:00 a.m.  Arrangements by Moore's Cabot Funeral Home, 501-843-5816.