Philip Owen Kelley's Obituary
Philip Owen Kelley, 87, of Winslow, AR, went home to Jesus on May 8, 2024. Phillip was preceded in death by his wife, Loretta (nee McFerrin) Kelley; his parents, Lester and Lucy Kelley; and his brother, Louis Kelley. He was a member of the Fellowship Bible Church of Springdale, AR.
He is survived by his children, Mike (Cheryl) of St. Louis, MO; Mark (Sandy) of Kalamazoo, MI; Margaret of Winslow, AR; his grandchildren, Emily (Nick) Wodicker, Ian (Analissa) Kelley, Alyssa Kelley, Jonathan Kelley, Kathryn Kelley; and his great-grandchild, Ronan Phillip Kelley.
Philip was born in Shaberg, AR. He graduated from Mountainburg Sr. High School in 1954 and Ozark Bible Institute in 1957 in pastoral studies. He married Loretta McFerrin on August 2, 1957. They moved to Olive Hill, KY, where Philip pastored Smokey Valley Bible Church. All 3 children were born in Kentucky. Philip moved his family to Hasty, AR, in 1964, where he became the director at Rock Haven Bible Camp. He served there as director until 1972 and continued to serve on the board of Rock Haven Ministries till 2015.
In 1972, he moved his family to Brentwood, AR, to pastor the Brentwood Community Church until 1992. Philip worked for B&B Resources from the 1970’s until his retirement in 2002.
Philip was a man of many talents – he was a master craftsman in wood and built fine furniture, including office furniture, houses, storage buildings, and the Rock Haven Camp tabernacle which was relocated to Buffalo River National Park. Philip was a mechanical genius – there wasn’t a motor that he couldn’t repair or rebuild. Because of his long love of the Crosley automobile, he built a Crosley pick-up, using parts from two Crosley vehicles.
Philip loved people – he never met a stranger. He was always interested in their stories and was eager to share his own story with them! He loved his family deeply which was most often demonstrated in his willingness to help with any projects.
Most of all, Philip loved his Lord Jesus Christ. He lived the gospel in his preaching, teaching and acts of service. His greatest legacy is that all his children and grandchildren love and serve the Lord. Many others attribute their coming to salvation in Jesus Christ with Philip’s testimony and teaching of the Word of God.
Services will be held at Moore’s Chapel in Fayetteville, AR. Visitation is on Friday, May 24, from 6-8 PM. Funeral service is on May 25, 10 AM, at Moore’s Chapel with graveside service to follow at Brentwood Cemetery in Brentwood, AR.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Rock Haven Ministries P.O. Box 40 Hasty, AR, 72640
Click this link to view additional details about Philip's Services, including any available live streams: https://my.gather.app/remember/philip-kelley
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