Felix Kelly

Felix “Dubie” Kelly, 75, of Lakewood, NJ passed away on August 19, 2019. He was the 6th child born on April 8, 1944 to the late Fesser and Violet Kelly in Kewanee, Mississippi. He was also closely loved, and mentored by the late Walter “Shep” Carlisle.

He attended and graduated from Kawanee High School in MS. Felix was a good student and always curious about the world beyond his small community.   At the behest of his uncle, he and his brother, Eddie, migrated to Lakewood, NJ following his graduation.

Felix had a sharp and inquisitive mind. He quickly found steady employment that led to an illustrious and highly decorated career in corrections at Jamesburg Correctional Facility located in Jamesburg, NJ. Felix served there with distinction for 30 years. His long career in corrections taught him that people make mistakes, but can also learn from their mistakes and become better people because of them.

In less than a decade and well established in his career, Felix met the love of his life in 1975, the former Sharon Moss Walters. They were married on July 9, 2002 and were together for 44 years.  They raised 4 children together.

Felix believed in the power of both a keen mind and body. He was a voracious reader of all kinds of books and became singly focused on Karate.  Felix was a member of the Isshinryu Karate Association.  He became a 10th degree black belt, an accomplishment with which he would remain proud of throughout his life.

Following his retirement, he spent another 10 years working for Paul Kimball Hospital in Lakewood, NJ as a security officer. He was a friendly face and a shoulder of comfort to many neighbors and friends who arrived at the hospital worried about themselves or their loved ones.

Felix was a very spiritual person. A wise sage, no conversation was off limits, and no request was out of the question. His generosity knew no bounds, and it extended to his family, friends, and charitable causes.

He loved his family deeply and they loved him in return. But it was his beloved, his heartbeat, his wife, Sharon, with whom he shared the most. Over the years, they took cruises and traveled to see family near and far.   In later years when it became more difficult for him to climb stairs, he and Sharon would enjoy the lovely home they built together.

Felix was predeceased by his son, Malik “Leroy” Walters; beloved siblings, Homer Kelly, BC Carlisle, Baby Girl Carlisle, Josephus Carlisle; mother-in -law, Corinda Hall.

Felix “Dubie” Kelly left a lasting legacy and will forever be remembered and loved by his faithful wife, Sharon Kelly; loving daughters, Kelly Walters of West Orange, NJ, and Michelle Walters of Newark, NJ; 1 son ,Troy Walters (Rita) of Baltimore, MD; special nephew, Ahmad Kelly of Wall Township, NJ who was like a son to him; beloved siblings, Annie Woods (Charlie) of Decator, GA, Wright “Sonny” Kelly (Mary) of Springfield, Il, Bishop Dennis Carlisle (Evinese) of Lakewood, NJ, Florine Carlisle (MacArthur) of Cleveland, OH, twin to Josephus, Eddie Kelly (Nancy) of Lakewood, NJ, Jimmy Kelly of Meridian, MS, Verda Kelly (Jack) of Meridian, MS, and Eugene Douglas Kelly of Meridian, MS; sister-in-law, Valerie Mills; youngest granddaughter, Kayla Walters and great nephew, Justin Kelly, spent the most time with him. All of his grandchildren sweetly referred to Felix as “Pop-Pop”, and they, along with his nieces, nephews, and dear friends will treasure his memory forever and ever.

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