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Alfred Hoyt Kelley, Sr., 78, widower of Ann Miller Kelley, died Wednesday, October 4, 2023, at Prisma Health Tuomey. Born October 16, 1944, in Hartsville, he was a son of the late Charles Hoyt Kelley and the late Lena Louise Parrott Kelley. Alfred was a US Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War, a Mason, a Shriner, a Rotarian, and a former tobacco, cotton, and grain farmer. He also sold red fezzes to help burned and crippled children, rode motorcycles and drove race cars. Alfred moved to Clarendon County with his wife, Ann, in 1981 to the house on Taw Caw creek built by his father. He ran trot lines and sold farm equipment grease to make ends meet. In 1984, with mentorship from his father-in-law, Alfred bought Goat Island Restaurant and Lounge. He and Ann enjoyed 18 years of success (and failures) “where the road ends and the fun begins.” During his time in the restaurant business, Alfred was appointed by SC governor Richard Riley to the Santee Cooper Country Promotions Commission, of which he served as chairman from 1988 to 2023. Alfred was a founding member of the Goat Island Boat Club and was instrumental in the creation of the Lake Marion stump-free boating channel. It was also during his time at Goat Island Restaurant that Alfred was encouraged to become a real estate agent. While at Agent Owned Realty, he was named Realtor of the Year in 2013, and he was inducted into the Sumter Board of Realtors Hall of Fame in 2021. For 35 years, home owners and home buyers in the Santee Cooper area knew “Alfred Kelley sells the lake.” He is survived by a son, A. Hoyt Kelley, Jr. (Stephanie) of Daniel Island; a brother, Howard Gainey (Lynn) of Hartsville; and several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Betty Kelley King and Celeste Kelley; and two brothers, Paul Charles Kelly and Chuck Gainey. A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. on Friday, October 13, 2023, in the chapel of Stephens Funeral Home with the Rev. Patrick G. Goodwin officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service from 3 to 4 p.m. at Stephens Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Santee Cooper Country, in memory of Alfred H. Kelley, Sr., P.O. Box 40, Santee, SC 29142. Stephens Funeral Home & Crematory, 304 N. Church Street, Manning, is in charge of arrangements, (803) 435-2179. www.stephensfuneralhome.org

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Mr. Alfred Hoyt Kelley Sr.

October 16, 1944 - October 4, 2023