Major Joseph Edward Kelly, Retired USMC, 78, of Shallotte, died Friday, Nov. 18, 2016.

Funeral Services to celebrate the life of Major Joseph E. Kelly will be held on Friday, January 6th, 2017 at Brunswick Funeral Service on Hwy. 17, Shallotte, NC. Visitation will begin at 1pm and the service will be at 2pm.

He was born June 24, 1938 in Dorchester, Massachusetts. After spending most of his childhood in Newport, Rhode Island, Mr. Kelly graduated from Rogers High School in 1956 and joined the United States Marine Corps at age 18. He went on to serve his country meritoriously and retired in 1981 at the rank of Major. It was then that Mr. Kelly and his wife Maebell returned permanently to live the rest of their life here in Brunswick County. Once a Marine, Always a Marine. A legacy of hard work and faithfulness was left by Mr. Kelly, having earned the nickname of Joe-Fix It. He continued to raise his family and took care of his wife Maebell to the end of her life.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur Wright Kelly, Sr. and Marion Marie Fredette Kelly; his loving wife Maebell Mooney Kelly, youngest son Christopher Lee Kelly; and granddaughter Alexis Mae Anderson.

Surviving are his oldest son William Ray (Squeaky) Kelly and wife Patricia of Boiling Spring Lakes; daughter Stephanie Marie Anderson and husband Scott of Shallotte; brother Arthur Wright Kelly, Jr. of Port St. Lucie, Florida; sisters Victoria Weaver and Claudia McCauley of New Port, Rhode Island, and Roberta Cardiff of East Lakefield, New Hampshire; grandchildren Amanda K. Balbino and husband Filipe of Wilmington, Michele Brothers and husband Robert of Wilson, Matthew Wilson of Southport, Randy Wilson of Southport, Monica Widdis and husband Trenton of Fredericksburg, VA, Christopher J. Kelly of Shallotte, Joshua L. Kelly of Rocky Mount, Tristan S. Kelly of Rhode Island, Shyanne M. Kelly of Bolivia, Richard G. Anderson and Sophia L. Anderson of Shallotte; and many great-grandchildren.