The Church of Christ Holiness Unto the Lord, Inc. Mourns the Loss of Bishop Ernest Kelly


Bishop Ernest Kelly was born March 11, 1929, he was the fourth child of the late Bishop James and Mother Pearl Stevens Kelly. He attended the Liberty County Public Schools. He also attended Milton Solomon Bennett Bible Institute and The International Bible Institute & Seminary in Orlando Fl.

Bishop Ernest Kelly was destined and designated to be a General in God’s Souls Saving Army. The Lord knew that he would need the most anointed and devoted mate to support him in his mission from God. God with his infinite wisdom joined Ernest with his 1st blessing of love and marital support when he met and married the lovely Bessie Heyward in 1949. She was the woman next to the man who began his commission from God and she championed with him as he followed the path God set. From this amazing union they were blessed with two daughters Ernestine and Verdie (Brenda), 4 sons Marvin, Jerome, James and Ernest (Leon). This magnificent team worked diligently in the Gospel until the Lord called Bessie home to rest from her labor in 1980.

Bishop Ernest Kelly assignment was not completed yet. He had many more years to go and God again in His matchless wonders knew that he would need support. His type of commissioned required the same type of marital support from a mate who could see the vision as Bessie did. God being and wise & loving God joined Ernest with Mollie Jones Washington and they continued to carry out the commission of God. From this union there were two daughters Leesa and Sabrina and four sons Frederick, Eric, Rafael and Cedric. This team worked together in God’s army until the Lord called Bishop Ernest Kelly home to rest from his labor. Early Thursday morning December 31, 2015, Bishop Ernest Kelly was given his final orders: Come on home and take you well-deserved rest, you fought a Good Fight, You stayed faithful, you have Finished your race; Job Well Done! The Heavenly Greeters that was praising God he made it was: His Parents – Bishop James and Mother Pearl Kelly, His beloved – Mother Bessie Kelly, His Children – Jerome (Ronnie) Kelly and Verdie (Brenda) Roundtree, His Siblings Robbie Lee, Gertrude, Naomi and Mary, a host of family and saints. Here cherishing his Memory and Legacy: His beloved & devoted wife & caregiver – Evangelist Mollie Kelly, Daughters- Ernestine (Frank) Harris, Leesa (Darrell) Stevens, Sabrina (Nathan) Mims, Sons- Elder Marvin (Barbara) Kelly, James Kelly, Ernest Leon, Frederick (Patricia) Jones, Eric (Caroline) Washington, Rafael (Monica) Washington, and Cedric Kelly, Sister In Law like a daughter Pamela (Robert) Cooper; Brother in law – Horace Roundtree; Twenty-nine (29) Grandchildren , eighteen (18) Great Grandchildren; Siblings- Bishop Jay C. (Evangelist Lorraine) Kelly, Evangelist Katie (Elder Rufus Houston, Elder Nathaniel (Ernestine) Kelly, Dea. Samuel (Loretta) Kelly, Dea. Jimmie Lee (Dr. Ella) Kelly , Sister in Law – Iona Kelly; Special daughters: Catherine Robinson, Gwendolyn Johnson, and Cassandra Jones; God-children – Dorothy Adams, Donelle Lee, Georgia Brown, Sandra Johnson and Patricia Harris-Jones, He was Surrogate Father to children of the late Deacon Freddie Sledge, Loving Nieces and Nephews, countless Spiritual Children a host of family members saints and friends.

The local and jurisdictional celebration of life will be held on Friday, January 8, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. in the main Sanctuary of St. James Community Church of Christ Holiness Unto the Lord, Inc., 1140 Holmestown Road in Midway, GA. The National Home Going Celebration will be held on Saturday, January 9, 2016 at 12 Noon in the St. James Sports Center Gymnasium. The Most Reverend Moses A. Lewis, Chief Celebrant and Eulogist.

Send remembrances to Dorchester Funeral Home,

Midway, GA.

For more information, please contact

Rev. Errol Roach at 912.226.8645.



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