Obituary of Fr. Darrell Charles Kelly, SVD


Father Darrell Kelly, SVD after a lengthy illness passed away on May 7, 2026 at Dunbar nursing home in Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi.

Father Kelly (affectionately called Chuck by his family) was born on October 8, 1961 in Mound Bayou, Mississippi. He attended St. Gabriel School in Mound Bayou and Immaculate Conception High.

From 1979-83 Fr. Kelly attended Mississippi Valley State University. He was a mascot for the team known as "the delta devil". The family likes to talk about his going from devil to saint. He then joined the U.S. Army. In the army he was stationed in Korea and was in Operation Desert Storm.

After the Army experience he became a part of the Mississippi Department of Corrections. He was employed as a correctional officer. It was at this time that he decided to convert to the Catholic faith. His family was supportive in what he chose to do. He said this in a 2023 interview with a Gulfport, Mississippi television station. He was thankful for their support.

After some reflection he decided to become a priest. He attended Divine Word College from 1997-1998 to learn about the Divine Word Missionaries. He was at Divine Word Novitiate from 1998-1999 and Catholic Theological Union 2000-2005. He was ordained a priest on May 28, 2005 at Techny, Illinois.

After ordination he was assigned as associate pastor to Notre Dame Church from 2005 to 2008. He was then made pastor at Holy Ghost Church in Jackson, Mississippi. From there he went to Our Mother of Mercy Church in Fort Worth, Texas. Because of medical problems he went to rehabilitate in Techny, Illinois. After time at Techny he went back to his first love at Notre Dame Church in St. Martinville, Louisiana. However, his medical difficulties increased and he moved to St. Augustine's in Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi.

Despite his many medical problems especially when he had to undergo dialysis, he did his best to fight through the difficulties. His family meant a lot to him. He was especially close to his mother whom he spoke to daily. He loved to cook for his nieces and nephews. They meant the world to him.
Funeral services will be held at St. Augustine on March 13, 2026. He will be buried with full military honors.

May he rest in peace!