Ruben O'Kelley, 82, of Covington died July 18. Mr. O'Kelley was preceded in death by his parents J.W. and Odie (Bowen) O'Kelley.

A lifelong resident of Newton County, Mr. O'Kelley was a member and former Elder of Christ Cornerstone Church. He was an avid Atlanta Braves and Georgia Bulldog fan. He was employed at Gordon Foods for 20 years. After Gordon Foods, closed he became the owner of O'Kelley's Gulf Oil Station from 1972-1986 and was later employed at Newton County Board of Education Transportation Department for 10 years. Mr. O'Kelley will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend to many.

Mr. O'Kelley is survived by his wife of 64 years Bobbye C. O'Kelley; daughters Theresa O'Kelley of Covington, Karen O'Kelley of Conyers, and Jill Knight of Covington; sisters Louise Duke of Gainesville, Lois Watts of Covington; brother Raymond O'Kelley of California; grandchildren, Jacob Knight and Kelli Knight of Covington, several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Mr. O'Kelley will be held at 2 p.m. today, July 20, at Caldwell & Cowan Funeral Home, 1215 Access Road. Interment will follow in Lawnwood Memorial Park. Flowers are accepted or donations may be made to Abbey Hospice, P. O. Box 68, Social Circle, GA 30025.