Joseph "Kim" Kelly

Mr. Joseph “Kim” Kelly, age 59, of Columbia, passed away at his residence on Thursday, February 4, 2015.

Kim was born on January 26, 1956 to Paul H. Kelly and Mary “Ernie” Casteel Kelly in Toledo, Ohio and grew up in Hartselle, Alabama. He served in the armed forces as a member of the United States Navy. Kim then earned a Master’s Degree in Psychology at MTSU and became a school psychologist in the Giles County School System. He was a member of the National Association of School Psychologists. Additionally, he was active in the Giles Heritage Theater and was a member of the National Screen Actors’ Guild. On August 13, 1988, he married the love of his life, Ellen Humphrey Kelly.

Kim is survived by his loving wife: Ellen Kelly of Columbia; mother: Mary “Ernie” Casteel Kelly; siblings: Paula K. (James) Hunter of Nashville, TN and Stephen (Celeste Biola) Kelly of Golden, CO; and numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

A memorial service for Mr. Kelly will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. at the Church of the Messiah, 114 3rd Street, Pulaski, Tennessee 38478 with the Rev. Carolyn Keck and the Rev. Beth Humphrey officiating. The family will visit with friends at Williams Funeral Home in Columbia on Friday, February 6, 2015 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

The family would like to give thanks to Dr. Douglas Kennedy and Dr. Lucy Ledbetter for the care of Kim.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Southern Poverty Law Center, 400 Washington Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36104, SWAN Conservation Trust, P.O. Box 162, Summertown, TN 38483, Church of the Messiah, 114 3rd Street, Pulaski, TN 38478, or Muscular Dystrophy Association, 3354 Perimeter Hill Drive, Nashville, TN 37211.

Williams Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements and online condolences may be made at www.williamsfh.com .