Curtis Kelley

Curtis Alden "Curt" Kelley, 91, of Cape Girardeau died Sunday, Oct. 17, 2004, at Southeast Missouri Hospital.

He was born March 25, 1913, in West Eminence, Mo., son of Claude A. and Anna Griffith Kelley. He and Velma May Watson were married Nov. 17, 1934, in Blodgett, Mo. She died Oct. 18, 1995.

Mr. Kelley was of the Baptist belief, and was known for his generosity in helping countless people in this community for many years. He moved to Cape Girardeau 70 years ago from Blodgett.

He was associated with the family business, Kelley Transportation Co.; and had owned and operated Cape Cut Rate Stores at Broadway and Sprigg and at Good Hope and Sprigg. He was the oldest member of Craftsman International Union No. 1.

Survivors include two sons, Dwight "Skip" Kelley and Fred D. "Nook" Kelley of Cape Girardeau; eight grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by a son, Claude A. "Nip" Kelley Feb. 9, 1995, and six brothers.

Friends may call at Ford and Sons Sprigg Street Funeral Home from 4 to 8 p.m. today.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, with the Revs. Fred Ritter and Bill Kitchen officiating. Entombment will be in Cape County Memorial Park Mausoleum.

Pallbearers will be Curtis D. "Skip" Kelley Jr., Vincent Lee Kelley, Jeffery Lee Kelley, Terrance Lynn Kelley, Christopher Lynn Kelley, Sean Gregory Kelley and Eric Adam Kelley.