Eddie Kelly "Pete" Holladay

Eddie E. Kelly “Pete Holladay” of Columbia, South Carolina, age 87, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 28, 2024. He was born in Turbeville, South Carolina, to the late Theodore E. and Eula I. (Holladay) Kelly. Eddie’s mother died after childbirth. He was given to her brother and his wife, E. “Sam” and Belle Holladay. He joined that family with three brothers and two sisters, and was raised as “Pete Holladay.” Pete grew up as a farm boy and was loved by all. He graduated from Hebron High School, where he excelled in playing baseball and basketball, winning many trophies for the school. His name changed overnight when he joined the Air Force at the age of 18.

Eddie is survived by his loving wife of 31 years, Joanne (Trotter) Kelly of Columbia, South Carolina; children, Michelle C. Kelly of Columbia, South Carolina and Steven Kelly of Wroclaw, Poland; grandchildren, Stacie (Kelly) Sanders, Michael H. Kelly, Michelle R. Kelly, Whitmore “Whit” D. Kelly, Jeffrey G. “Grier” Kelly Cliff, Amelia R. Kelly, and Alexander A. Kelly; and great-grandchildren, Kendyll Y. Sanders, Rylie M. Sanders, LeAnna G. Purvis, Paxton E. Kelly, and Mia C. Purvis; mother of his children, Yvonne W. Kelly.

Eddie was predeceased by two sons, Jeffrey H. and Michael J. Kelly; sisters Arcola, Elizabeth, Polly and Lila; brothers, William, Joseph, Verdell, Elbert, and Jimmy; and half-sisters, Elsie and Julia.

Eddie retired from the Armed Services (Air Force and Navy) after 23 years of service where he was a Dentist Assistant (D.A.) from the first graduation class in the USAF. Subsequent assignments included Dental Superintendent, Directorate of Base Dental Services, Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas and stationed at RAF Croughton, Lakenheath, Mildenhall, and Upperheyford in England and Eglin AFB in Fort Walton Beach and Herbert Field, Florida. He received numerous service awards and citations during his service.

He attended the University of Texas in Austin and was an active member of the Marble Arch Masonic Lodge #7479 Freemason’s Whitehall Place, London, England. In 1993, he opened and operated Pee Dee Dental Lab in Lake City, South Carolina. An avid golfer, he was a member of the Lake City Country Club and Shaw Air Force Base Golf Club.

Gifts in lieu of flowers may be made in Eddie’s memory to Greenville Shriners Hospital or to the Office of Development, Shriners Hospitals for Children.

The family wishes to express appreciation to the nursing and professional staff at Prisma Health / Baptist Hospital, Agape Lexington Hospice House, and grandchildren, Stacie, Whit, and Grier for staying with Papa during his final days.

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