Kelly Lenville Cleary

Mr. Kelly Lenville Cleary, 89, passed away Wednesday, October 1, 2014 at Oak Forest Health and Rehabilitation. He was born January 12, 1925 in Wilkes Co. to the late Rev. Carper J. Cleary and Ina H. Cleary. Mr. Cleary was the 9th generation of Cleary's that came from Donegal, Ireland that settled in America. He was a member of Bethany Baptist Church in Winston-Salem. Mr. Cleary served his country in the U.S. Navy fighting in the Pacific on the USS Lymon K. Swinson during WWII. He worked in the trucking industry, retiring in 1982 with 38 years of service with Pilot Freight Carriers. He maintained a 35 year safe driving record during his time with Pilot. Mr. Cleary was the oldest of seven children. He was a member of Teamsters Local 391 Retiree Club. Mr. Cleary enjoyed woodworking in his retirement, building Blue Bird houses and raising them. He was preceded in death by five brothers, his wife of 57 years, Ava H. Cleary in 2005 and his son, Wayne Cleary in 2005. Mr. Cleary is survived by a sister, Ardella Adams of Hays, his daughter, Gail C. Kolischak of Winston-Salem, his granddaughter, Christina K. Cleary of Grensboro and his grandson, Lee B. Cleary of Winston-Salem. He is also survived by his four legged companion, Lieza. Funeral services will be conducted 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 3, 2014 at Bethany Baptist Church in Winston-Salem with Dr. Brad Stamey, Rev. Brian Alverson and Rev. Elmer Barker officiating. Burial with military rites will follow at 3:00 p.m. at Double Creek Baptist Church Cemetery in Hays, NC. The family will receive friends from 10:00-11:00 prior to the service at the church. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to; Forsyth County Humane Society. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Diane Jones, Marie Reeves, Doug Snider, Ron and Leigh Seney, Angie Keller, Donna Brady, Calvin Johnson, Allen Ogburn and the nursing staff at Oak Forest for all the special care they gave my father during his illness. He will be remembered as a kind and loving brother, father and husband.

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