Johnny (Griggs) Kelly

Johnny Griggs Kelly, age 77, of Darlington, South Carolina, passed away on Friday, January 31, 2025, at McLeod Hospice House. A visitation will be held at Belk Funeral Home on Tuesday, February 4th, from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM. A funeral service will take place at 11:30 AM on Wednesday, February 5th, at Free Will Baptist Bible Church in Darlington, with burial immediately following at Florence National Cemetery.

Johnny was born on June 21, 1947, in Hartsville to the late Johnnie and Almena Griggs. She was employed by Klopman/Galey & Lord for many years until her retirement. After her retirement, she and her husband operated Richard's Pool Service. Johnny had a deep love for reading, often losing herself in the pages of a good book. A frequent shopper at Walmart, she humorously claimed to "support" the company. She also had a passion for baking cakes and was known for her generosity, always putting others before herself. Johnny cherished spending time with her husband, family, and loved her cats. She was a devoted member of the Free Will Baptist Bible Church in Darlington.

In addition to her parents, Johnny was preceded in death by her son, Thomas Ross; her brother, Fred Griggs; and her sisters, Hazel Smith and Marie Semiklose.

She is survived by her husband, Richard L. Kelly, Sr.; her children, Gordon (Lynette) Ross of Hartsville, Chris (Michelle) Ross of Chesterfield, William Ross of Mt. Croghan; her stepchildren, Sheila (Ken) Drafts of Lexington, Richard (Amy) Kelly, Jr. of Edgefield, and nine grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings, Helen Griggs of Chesterfield, Vivian (Jerry) Byrd of Texas, Lois (David) Vaughan of Hartsville, Betty (Andy) Brown of Patrick, and her brother-in-law, Tom Semiklose of Hartsville, as well as numerous nieces and nephews and friends of the heart Violet Johnson and Ann Roberts.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to her caregiver Tammy Hodge Griggs and the staff of McLeod Hospice House of Florence for the exceptional love and care that they provide to Mrs. Johnny. In honor of Mrs. Kelly, memorials may be made to a charity of one's choice.