Earl M. Kelly

Earl M. Kelly, 96, of Tavares, passed away Monday, December 19, 2022. Born in Parrish, Florida, he attended Parrish Elementary School and graduated from Palmetto High School in 1943. Earl served in the US Army Air Corps during World War II. He received a Bachelor's and Master's degree from the University of Florida and a PhD from Florida State University. In 1949 he married Annie Ruth Pigott and together they had 3 children, Ann, Neil and Bobby. Earl and Annie Ruth moved to Tavares in 1980 from Gainesville, Florida. He had been a member of the Baptist Church from childhood and was most recently associated with First Baptist Church, Leesburg. He served for over 50 years as a Deacon, Sunday School Teacher. With Annie Ruth, they conducted weekly chapel services at nursing homes for over 10 years. Earl spent 34 years working with the University of Florida. Serving 23 years in the County Cooperative Extension Service and 11 years on campus at the University of Florida as a full professor and District Cooperative agent before retiring in 1984. Earl was preceded in death by his wife of almost 70 years, Annie Ruth. He is survived by his 2 sons, Neil Kelly, Tavares, FL, Robert Earl Kelly, Gainesville, FL; daughter, Deborah Ann Davis, Mount Dora, FL; 6 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Services will be held at Harden/Pauli Funeral Home, Eustis on Thursday, December 29, 2022 at 10:30 AM. Interment will follow at Tavares Cemetery, Tavares. Flowers are accepted or memorial donations may be made to Florida Baptist Childrens Home, Post Office Box 8190, Lakeland, FL 33802. Online Guestbook available at www.hardenpauli.com Arrangements by Harden/Pauli Funeral Home, Eustis.