Mr. Melburn Bowie Kelly

Mr. Melburn Bowie Kelly, 76, of Ridgeland, S.C., died Wednesday, Dec 24, 2008, at St. Joseph's Hospital in Savannah.

A graveside service was held Saturday, Dec. 27th in Bluffton, S.C.

Mr. Kelly was preceded in death by his parents, Lenward Kelly and Corene Kelly Holland of Sardis, Ga.

He is survived by his wife, Joyce Miles Kelly of Ridgeland; three sons and daughters in-law, Mel and Gayla Kelly of Claxton, Ga., Captain Michael and Janet Kelly of Martinez, Ga., and Pat and Kristy Kelly of Ridgeland; four grandchil- dren, Chris Kelly of Statesboro, Ga., Hayley Kelly Bond of Germany, Kathryn Kelly of Ridgeland, and Wyatt Kelly of Martinez; two sisters, Elsie Kelly of Statesboro and Betty Kelly Mixon of Daytona Beach Shores, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Kelly served in the U.S. Navy and later earned his bachelors, masters, and education specialist degrees from Georgia Southern.

He was a longtime high school band director and educator in Evans, Tattnall, Burke and other South Georgia counties.