Milton Fletcher Kelly, III – age 74, of Maynardville, passed away on Friday, February 7, 2025. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, M.F. and Davina Kelly. He is survived by his wife Denise Kelly; sister, Patricia Kelly; daughter, Jessica Richard (Chris); son, Derek Orbesen; niece, Kambrean Kelly; nephew, Kristopher Kelly; stepchildren, Charles Corum (Juniper) and Michelle Tipton (Joshua); grand children, Kailey, Gracie, Addison, and Bjorn; cousins, Debbie Baker (Bruce), Kimberly Cerny (Chuck) and T.K. Barnett (Terry); and many extended family and friends.
The following was written directly by Fletcher and requested to be printed in his own words:
“Because my departure was slow, I had the time to put this in my own words….. My father was M.F. Kelly Jr. He was superintendent at Standard Knitting and Mills and the best man I ever knew. My mother was Davina Shultz Kelly, a stay at home mom and the best cook in the world. I have one sister, Patricia Kelly. She retired from Children’s Hospital after 37 years. She did everything but mow the lawn. She had two children, my niece and nephew, Kambrean and Kristopher Kelly. They are both great people and I love them very much. I never got to spend the time with them that I wanted to. I have three special cousins I’ve always been close to; Debbie Baker, Ohio, T.K. Barnett, Virginia, and Kim Cerny, Knoxville. I also had the privilege and honor of helping raise Judy Graham’s two Children, Jessica Richard and Derek Orbesen. I call them my children and they call me dad. Last but not least, my wife, Denise. My love for the last 20 years. Since my illness, she has become a jack of all trades. Especially as my nurse, caregiver and my best friend. I have had a very blessed life and I never knew why.
I graduated from West High School and attended Hiawassee College and the University of Tennessee. I wasn’t always a good student but I learned from life and watching other people. I owned T.V. Clinic for 29 years. I never wanted to get into Law Enforcement but ended up with Knox County Sheriffs Department for 26 years, and I did enjoy it. I worked with great people and served under great Sheriffs. You never know what life has in store. If anyone needed me, I hope I was there. I enjoyed going to the farm in Virginia. Enjoyed Norris lake and playing basketball. And tinkering around with cars. I was truly blessed by God my entire life.
I made more friends than I ever thought possible. My Honorary pallbearers and special friends; Capt. Jim Shipley, Sgt. David Thompson, Randall McIntosh, Tony Jenkins, Shawn Jones, Gary Jones, Ron Rudder, Jay Evans, Jackie Brantley, Chuck Byrd, Randy Kidd, Danny Hoskins, Chris Kanga, Joe Klouda, Terry Floyd, DeWitt Shelton, Chief Mike Ruble, Lt. David Davidson, Sheriff Tom Spangler, J.J. Jones, and Tim Hutcheson. I’ve been told I influenced people’s lives – These are a few that influenced mine.
Special thank you to Victoria, my hospice nurse, Chaplain Phil, and Brenda with Ft. Sanders Pulmonary."
The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 5:00 – 7:00 pm at Rose Funeral & Cremation – Mann with the service to immediately follow at 7:00. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Union County Human Society, www.unioncountyhumanesociety.org or Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org. Online condolences may be made at www.rosefuneraltn.com