Chief Master Sergeant Dauris W. Kelly

Chief Master Sergeant Dauris W. Kelly 

Chief Master Sergeant (Ret.) Dauris Kelly was born in Shreveport, Louisiana on March 13, 1939.

Dauris was drafted after graduation into the US Army. However, he volunteered for the US Air Force where he served valiantly for 30 years. Throughout his military career, he earned several awards and moved up from Airman First Class (A1C) to the highest enlisted rank of Chief Master Sergeant. 

Chief Kelly is survived by his wife of 63 years, Laura Kelly, daughter Archdeacon Yvette (Gus) Owens of the Diocese of Georgia, Gary (Terri) Kelly, Tanya (Michael) Watson, and two “adopted children”, Jim and Donna Burgess. Together they have fifteen grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, six sisters-in-law, and a host of nieces and nephews all over the world.

He was strong man with a good heart. He was a defender by nature, and never shied away from speaking up for others or helping whenever and wherever he saw a need. He was a man of few words but in those words, one knew he meant business. Those who knew him best say he was always a leader even before he earned a formal title. 

A visitation will be held from 5 – 7pm, Friday, September 13, 2024, at Carson McLane Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm, September 14, 2024, at Carson McLane Chapel with Father Jim Pace officiating. The burial will be held immediately after at McLane Riverview Memorial Gardens. Repass to follow at Christ the King Episcopal Church. Condolences to the family may be conveyed online at www.mclanecares.com. Carson McLane Funeral Home.