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Kelly D. Flynn, Sr. passed away on January 24, 2013.
He was born on May 18, 1943 in Lake Lure, NC. He was a native of Rutherford County. The son of the late Roy Simpson Flynn, Sr. and Myrtle Searcy Flynn. He was also predeceased in death by his brothers, Roy Simpson Flynn, Jr., and Wayne Darwin Flynn and sister, Eleanor Flynn Hill Phillips.
He is survived by the love of his life, Betty Chappelear Flynn, daughter Erin Shane Balgeman (Andy) of Woodstock, Illinois and son, Kelly D. Flynn, Jr. (Maggie) of Lake Lure, NC. Sisters: Juanita F. Murphy (Clifford) of Lake Lure; Betty F. Rogers of Brevard, NC; Shirley F. Parrish (Wayne) of Raleigh, NC., brother-in-law, Wayne Chappelear (Jane) of Pineville, NC and sister-in-law, Cindy Chappelear of Jackson, MS.
He is also survived by 4 grandchildren, and 21 nieces and nephews.
Kelly attended Lake Lure Elementary School and R-S Central High School. In 1960, following the death of his father, he moved to Charlotte, NC to live with his brother and sister, Wayne and Shirley and went on to graduate from West Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte, NC in 1962. Kelly worked at Hoppers Discount Store in Charlotte following graduation and finally settled down to work for E. J. Smith & Sons on Hawthorne Lane and Golf Acres Drive in Charlotte where he worked for 29 years. Following the dissolution of the company, Kelly and four other employees formed the E. J. Smith Employees Group and eventually sold the company in 1994.
Through the years, Kelly devoted many hours to baseball with son, Kelly D., where he was affectionately known as “Curveball”, 4-H horse shows with daughter, Shane and coaching a traveling, women’s softball team with wife, Betty.
With one chapter of his life over, Kelly and Betty set out on their next adventure. Kelly’s desire was to return to his roots in Lake Lure and remodel the family home and open a business to serve the community of Bill’s Creek. His dream became a reality when Kelly, Betty and Kelly D. opened Bill’s Creek Hardware, with the help of Don West of Monroe Hardware in Monroe, NC, and the family will continue to carry on his dream of serving his neighbors in the Bill’s Creek Community. His dream could not have been realized without the help of good friends, John and Marie Beard of Stanley County, NC As well, he realized his dream of farming that was instilled in him by his father, Simp. His love of the land allowed him in his last years to spend many hours on the tractor with his brother-in law, Clifford Murphy and good friend, Joey McDaniel growing and harvesting sweet potatoes, pumpkins and watermelons. Many friends and neighbors helped him, especially when his health declined, to plant and harvest. He was blessed with the help of so many friends over the years, but special thanks go to the Searcy families, the McDaniel families, Randy Powell and Mac Kimbrough. Kelly also served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bill’s Creek Fire Department.
When Kelly saw the need to bring together the local hunters to provide an opportunity for fellowship, he formed Bill’s Creek Hunt Club and Carolina County Hunt Club. With the aid of good friend, Jim Howell, Kelly bagged his first bear at the Murphy place on Cedar Creek Road and was immediately tagged “Killer.”
Kelly was a member of Bill’s Creek Baptist Church in Lake Lure, NC. He made his profession of faith and was baptized on May 17, 1998 by then Pastor Claude McIntosh. He was ordained a deacon on Oct. 7, 2007 by then Pastor Kenneth Hay and went on to serve faithfully as a trustee, as well.
Funeral services were held at Bill’s Creek Baptist Church with Rev. Terrell Dillingham officiating, with Rev. Claude McIntosh and Rev. Kenneth Hay. Burial followed in the church cemetery.
The family would like to thank you all for the love and friendship extended toward Kelly over the years, but most especially how you welcomed Kelly and his family back to the community he loved so much. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bill’s Creek Baptist Church in his memory.
Crowes Mortuary is serving the family.
