Mark B. Kelly

Mark Brandon Kelly was born on December 22, 1954, in Danville,    Illinois to Lee Ella Brandon Kelly, and Henry F. Kelly. Mark passed this life peacefully on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at home with his    family by his side.

Mark accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized into the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church family under the pastorate of the late Rev. Jesse L. Clark, and Mark never lost his faith.

Mark attended Danville public schools and graduated from Danville High School in 1974. He was a veteran having served his country in the United States Army and was honorably discharged. He worked at the Veterans Administration Hospital in the Dietary Department and retired after 34 years of employment.

Mark had a love for fishing and was well known for his fish fries held in his backyard. He taught his sons how to fish, but only Brandon shared his love for fishing. For Mark, fishing was more than a hobby, or a sport, it was his passion. It was his way of breaking away from the cares of life and reflecting on what was good in his life. He also enjoyed    gardening, planting flowers around the yard, but he mastered in growing tomatoes. Mark was truly someone special with a heart of pure gold. He loved spending time with family and friends and always had a sense of humor. Kim says of him, “Mark was that special someone within my heart, and I was blessed to have him.” He will be missed deeply by all.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his beloved wife Kim of 40 years, two daughters, Shalandra Smith of Owensboro, Kentucky and Tabressa Phipps. Mark and Kim were blessed with four amazing sons, Marcus Smith, Sr., and Mario (Chetara) Smith, Sr., both of Owensboro,       Kentucky, Doran Summers, and Brandon Kelly, both of Danville. Grandchildren: Lexy Peay, Atreyeau Dixon, Mario Smith, Jr., Marcus Smith, Jr., Markel Smith and Eternity Smith, all of Owensboro,       Kentucky, and Audrey Kelly of Sidell, Illinois. Great grandchildren: Maddox, Cecilia, Jamison, and Jazlyn. Two sisters, Jane Campbell (Rev. Dr. George) DeBose and Karen Harrell, and an aunt, Mrs. Naomi Hill all of Danville, and a number of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by sisters, Eloise Murphy, Marva Kelly, Joyce Fench, Janice (Leroy) Carter, and Beverly Jean (George)        Gouard, and brothers, Henry, Robert, Charles, Roy, Jimmie, Eric     Daniel, and Keith.

A Homegoing Celebration will commence at 12:00 Noon Wednesday May 20, 2026 at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, 311 N. Collett St. Danville. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Interment will be at Danville National Cemetery.

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