Person Page - 1204

     Betty Pearl Pitts was born on 4 March 1940 at Perry, Taylor, Florida, United States.¹ She married Charles Edward Courtney, son of Leo Lorine Kelly and Charles Thomas Courtney, on 24 December 1949.¹ She died on 15 January 1997 at Perry, Taylor, Florida, United States, at age 56.¹ She was buried at Oakland Church Cemetery, Taylor, Florida, United States.¹

     Fulton McKinney Townsend Jr. was born on 2 November 1926 at Lake Butler, Union, Florida, United States.¹ He was the son of James Walter Townsend. He married Joyce Jurelene Kelly, daughter of George Bunion 'GB' Kelly and Vera V. Sadler Stephens, in 1947.¹ He died on 6 June 1998 at Saint Lucie, Florida, United States, at age 71.¹ He was buried at Espanola Cemetery, Flagler, Florida, United States.¹
     Biography of Fulton McKinney Townsend Jr.:

Fulton McKinney Townsend, Jr., known to many as Kinney, was a native Floridian whose life and legacy left a significant mark on Flagler County. Born into a family with deep roots in the region, Kinney's journey from military service to overseeing the family business to later operating his own business, is a testament to his resilience. Known for his boisterous laugh, Kinney always had a smile on his face and never met a stranger. His ability to remember countless jokes and stories was remarkable. A favorite family remembrance was how his son, Walter, was able to start his father laughing at the dinner table with just a little chuckle back and forth until he had him laughing so hard, tears would come to his eyes. Walter was unmerciful in his enjoyment of torturing his father and all the family enjoyed his relentless teasing.¹

     Joyce Jurelene Kelly was born on 5 October 1928 at Perry, Taylor, Florida, United States.¹ She was the daughter of George Bunion 'GB' Kelly and Vera V. Sadler Stephens. She married Francis Clifton Cole on 28 April 1945 at Valdosta, Lowndes, Georgia, United States.¹ She married Fulton McKinney Townsend Jr., son of James Walter Townsend, in 1947.¹ She died on 18 January 2016 at Palm Coast, Flagler, Florida, United States, at age 87.¹ She was buried at Espanola Cemetery, Flagler, Florida, United States.¹
     Biography of Joyce Jurelene Kelly:

Joyce, born in Perry, Florida, spent her entire life in the Sunshine State. She was an avid reader and a budding artist, whose creativity and passion were passed along to her children and grandchildren. Joyce was deeply devoted to her family, always putting their needs and happiness first. In her early career she worked as an office and classroom assistant at Bunnell High School, and waitressed at the famous Quick and Tasty restaurant in Ormond Beach. In 1972, she followed in her mother's pioneering footsteps, serving as Fire Control Dispatcher for the Florida Division of Forestry, Division of Agriculture and Consumer Services, for 30 years. Her commitment to the safety and well-being of her community was evident, particularly during her efforts in dispatching the most devastating fires in Flagler County history in 1985 and 1998. After retiring in Palm Coast in 2003, Joyce hosted family holiday gatherings, creating treasured memories for her children and grandchildren. Her love and service to others will always be remembered and cherished by those who knew and loved her.¹

     Walter Allen Townsend was born on 20 November 1947 at St. Augustine, St. Johns, Florida, United States.¹ He was the son of Fulton McKinney Townsend Jr. and Joyce Jurelene Kelly.
     Biography of Walter Allen Townsend:

Walter joined the U.S. Navy 10 Oct. 1966. He attended propulsion and engineering school; nuclear power school and nuclear power prototype training; submarine school, and nuclear welding school during his first two and a half years. His first tour was on the USS Sea Devil (SSN664) 1969-1971, followed by the USS William H. Bates (SSN680) 1971. From 1974-76; Walt was an instructor at nuclear power prototype in Idaho Falls, ID., commissioned April 2, 1976. Assigned to the USS Hunley (AS-31) Charleston, S.C. 1976-79; Submarine Squadron 16 staff officer at Kings Bay, Georgia from 1979-82; Nuclear and Non-nuclear Ship Superintendent and Docking Officer Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Washington 1982-1987. Retired as Lieutenant June 30, 1987.¹

     Shirley Ann Townsend was born on 13 August 1949 at Lake City, Columbia, Florida, United States.¹ She was the daughter of Fulton McKinney Townsend Jr. and Joyce Jurelene Kelly. She married James William Langford on 2 February 1966 at St. Johns, Florida, United States.¹ She died on 6 September 2015 at Palm Coast, Flagler, Florida, United States, at age 66.¹ She was buried at Espanola Cemetery, Flagler, Florida, United States.¹
     Biography of Shirley Ann Townsend:

Obit: Shirley was proud to be the Librarian for the Federal Aviation Administration in Palm Coast for 12 years. She enjoyed floral arrangements and was known for her classy arrangements. She was very creative and loved to take vintage items and redesign them into new, contemporary styles. She was a Christian lady. She never met a child she didn’t like. Shirley’s true passion was her family. They were her pride and joy.¹

     Anthony John Vito Achilles Castellano was born on 30 October 1947 at New York, United States.¹ He died in 2018 at Saint Pete Beach, Pinellas, Florida, United States.¹
     Biography of Anthony John Vito Achilles Castellano:

Raised in New York, USA, Anthony 'Tony' attended Daytona Beach Community College where he and Sharon met. They married 3 Jun 1967 in Daytona Beach, Volusia County, Florida. Moving from Daytona Beach to New York, then Connecticut, only to return to Florida in the 1980's, together they shared their goodwill with everyone they met.¹

     James William Langford was born on 29 August 1967 at St. Augustine, St. Johns, Florida, United States.¹ He was the son of James William Langford and Shirley Ann Townsend. He died on 16 March 2023 at St. Augustine, St. Johns, Florida, United States, at age 55.¹ He was buried at Espanola Cemetery, Flagler, Florida, United States.¹
     Biography of James William Langford:

James William Langford, Jr., known affectionately as Jamie by his family, was born August 29, 1966. He was the first of three children of Shirley Ann Townsend and James William Langford, Sr. Preceded in death by his mother and father, Jamie is survived by his sons Drew and Christopher, his brother, Darrell, sister, Tanya, and their children Sonja, Mia, Micah, Kory, Kyle and Karoline. He leaves behind his loving Uncle Walt, Aunts Sharon and Brenda, many cousins, and friends.
He spent some of his school days in Titusville where he enjoyed surfing with Darrell and was a protective older brother for Tanya. A handsome young man, his mother got him involved in modeling while he attended Satellite High School. Later he attended Flagler Palm Coast High School with his siblings where he enjoyed wrestling and playing football.
Jamie enjoyed creative cooking and taking care of his grandmother. One of his favorite recipes was beef stroganoff with extra sour cream. They were a couple of night owls. Jamie would stay up late playing video games while Grandma watched old movies or read romantic novels. He loved his grandmother very much, and she loved him - they were best buddies.
He enjoyed family gatherings and teasing his younger nieces, nephews and cousins without mercy as often as possible. He never met a stranger and had the ability to talk to anyone on any topic. He always had an answer for any question.
He loved his brother and sister unconditionally. Jamie had a big heart and his passing leaves a large vacancy in ours. Loved deeply by his son, siblings, nieces, and nephews, and all his relatives, he will be greatly missed.¹

     George Bunion 'GB' Kelly was born on 14 October 1908 at Perry, Taylor, Florida, United States.¹ He was the son of George Bunion Kelly Sr. and Hattie Lufair King. He married Vera V. Sadler Stephens on 4 December 1927 at Perry, Taylor, Florida, United States.¹ He died on 3 February 1999 at Bunnell, Flagler, Florida, United States, at age 90.¹ He was buried at Espanola Cemetery, Flagler, Florida, United States.¹
     Biography of George Bunion 'GB' Kelly:

The Kelly families were lifelong members of the Church of Christ where G.B. Kelly, Jr. was an itinerant preacher. G.B. Kelly, Jr. listed his occupation as bus driver in Taylor County, Florida on the 1930 Census The 1940 Census shows G.B. working as a truck driver for the Naval store in Flagler County. 1943 finds G.B. in Flagler County self-employed. For three years he hauled turpentine before going to work for T.L. King in the sawmill 1946-48. His son, Billy Joe Kelly, Sr., said he worked as a sawyer at the lumber mill. In 1949 he worked for Lewis Wadsworth before being hired as Forest Ranger for the Florida Division of Forestry. He was the first Forest Ranger Supervisor in Flagler County and remained in that position until he retired in 1974 after 24 years of service. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge of Bunnell. G.B. Kelly was a man of stature, standing over six feet tall with beautiful blue eyes. He was well-thought-of in Flagler County, known and respected by many.¹

     James William Langford was born on 24 March 1943 at Newberry, Alachua, Florida, United States of America.¹ He married Shirley Ann Townsend, daughter of Fulton McKinney Townsend Jr. and Joyce Jurelene Kelly, on 2 February 1966 at St. Johns, Florida, United States.¹ He died on 17 August 2021 at Bartow, Polk, Florida, United States, at age 78.¹

     Wilburn was born on 30 October 1930 at Perry, Taylor, Florida, United States.¹ He was the son of George Bunion 'GB' Kelly and Vera V. Sadler Stephens. Wilburn died on 23 March 1974 at Jacksonville, Duval, Florida, United States, at age 43.¹ His body was buried at Craig Memorial Park, St. Augustine, St. Johns, Florida, United States.
     Biography of Wilburn Allen Kelly:

Wilburn Allen Kelly joined the Florida Highway Patrol in 1951 and was on the force for 23 years.

From news4jax 24 Jan 2020:
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla – A 5 mile stretch of I-95, just north of the International Golf Parkway exit, is now known as Trooper Wilburn A. Kelly Memorial Highway.
Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Kelly was killed in the line of duty in 1974 when his vehicle was struck from behind in St. Augustine.
Trooper Kelly’s career began on November 1, 1952. He was in the 11th recruit class at Eglin Air Force Base, from October 7 to November 7, 1953. He was stationed in Panama City, Fort Walton Beach, Marianna, and St. Augustine. Florida lawmakers recently passed a bill designating the state to recognize fallen troopers by renaming highways in their honor.
For Florida Highway Patrol Master Sergeant Dylan Bryan, Kelly’s story is a reminder of the risk law enforcement officers take every day and the sacrifice.
"This is not necessarily a job. It’s a way of life. It’s something that we carry close to our hearts,” he said. The dedication ceremony for Trooper Kelly is the second to occur this year.
In mid-January, a stretch of U.S.-1 was renamed in honor of Cpl. Cleo “Tommy” Tomlinson, Trooper Merle Cook, and Trooper Robert Pruitt. They were killed in St Johns County in 1981 when their FHP plane crashed. At the time, they were assisting in the search for two breaking-and-entering suspects.
Sgt. Bryan said three more dedications are happening through late February. He also hopes these markers will send an important message to the community.
“We are out there, we are out there working. We’re serving to the best of our abilities. We will do absolutely anything we can to keep the community safe. And that includes dying in the line of duty,” Sgt. Bryan said.
Local lawmakers, advocates, and members of Trooper Kelly’s family are attending the ceremony at the St. Augustine Florida Highway Patrol Station 875 SR 16, St. Augustine, FL 32084.¹

     Charles Louis Kelly was born on 27 December 1933 at Perry, Taylor, Florida, United States.¹ He was the son of George Bunion 'GB' Kelly and Vera V. Sadler Stephens. He married Delores Clotilde Sannicolas Kamminga on 17 June 1956 at Idaho, United States.¹ He died on 21 July 2020 at Caldwell, Canyon, Idaho, United States, at age 86.¹ He was buried at Idaho, United States.¹
     Biography of Charles Louis Kelly:

Charles Louis Kelly, Sr. was born to George B. Kelly, Jr. and Vera V. Sadler Stephens; gifted with the piercing Kelly blue eyes. At 19, he joined the U.S. Air Force, and served in the Korean and Vietnam wars. After two marriages, and four sons, he retired as Technical Sergeant after 26 years of honorable service.
He is survived by his wife Darlene and four sons; Charles Louis Kelly, Jr. of Port Orange, Florida, George and Sue Kelly of Bunnell Florida, Todd and Toni Kelly of Homedale, Idaho, Kevin and Keeli Kelly of Nashville, Tennessee; 14 beloved grandchildren, many great-grandchildren; his brother Joe and wife, Beverly Kelly of Bunnell, Florida and many nieces and nephews.¹