James "Ronnie" Ronald Kelly

Mr. James Ronald "Ronnie" Kelly, 83, of Newport, passed away on Saturday, February 20, 2021, at Carteret Health Care surrounded by his family.

His funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, February 24, 2021, at St. James United Methodist Church in Newport, officiated by Rev. Tom Supplee. Interment will follow at Cedar Grove Cemetery in Newport. Friends are welcome to attend the service. For those unable to attend, the family invites you to view the webcasting of the service through his obituary page on Munden Funeral Home’s website. In keeping with the CDC guidelines pertaining to the Coronavirus, those who are ill or at-risk (elderly, immune-compromised) are encouraged to stay home. Additionally, there will be a limit to the number of people in the building at one time, as well, those who attend will be asked to bring and wear a protective mask. Help us honor the family while practicing safe measures. Friends are also encouraged to leave words of comfort to the family through the website.

Ronnie was born in Newport on September 3, 1937, to James ‘Jim’ Kelly and Clara Lewis Kelly. He graduated from Newport High School in 1955.

Ronnie was a lifelong farmer. He grew tobacco, corn, soybeans and raised pigs and beef cattle. He loved the land and enjoyed his collection of antique International Harvester tractors and implements. His restored Farmall and Case IH tractors were a favorite feature of the Annual Newport Christmas Parade, nothing made him prouder than to watch his grandson, son, nephew, and friends driving them.  He believed in tithing and was a loyal supporter of St. James United Methodist Church.

Ronnie is survived by his wife of 63 years and high school sweetheart, Pat Reynolds Kelly of the home; his daughter, Tammy Kelly and fiancé Freddie Harris of Louisburg, NC; his son, Todd Kelly and his wife Sherry of Newport; his grandson, Travis Kelly, and his wife Blayke of Clayton. He is also survived by his twin brothers, Earl and his wife Lynn of Newport and Allen and his wife Joan of Raleigh; niece, Melissa Kelly-Nielsen, and her children; his sister, Frances Kelly Corbett and her husband, Bill of Newport; his nephew, Brian Kelly and his partner Britni Simmons; great niece, Isla Grace of Clayton; and special brother-in-law, Victor Reynolds.

The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., Tuesday, February 23, 2021, at Munden Funeral Home. The same safety guidelines will apply.

Flowers are welcome or memorials may be made to the St. James United Methodist Church Community Life Center Fund, P.O. Box 250, Newport, NC 28570.

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory in Morehead City, NC.