Ephraim Lamar Kelly, age 73, born August 10, 1939, in Yazoo City, Mississippi, passed away under the watchful care of his children and sister, at the Hospice of Cincinnati on March 30, 2013. He is survived by his three children: Venita (Mark Jordan, LeMar, Nathaniel (Tracy); eight grandchildren: Mark Alexandra, Jasmine, Patricia, Adrian, Patrick, Andre and Brandon; two sisters: Lesterine (David Maple) and Dorothy Murdock; sister-in-law, Reaver Walker, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, B. Franklin and Hattie Kelly; brothers, Andrew and Benjamin; sister, Inez; brother-in-law, Jerry Murdock; the mother of his children, Elaine Burns Kelly and his longtime companion, Mae Smith. Ephraim was called to preach in the late 190's and continued until the early 1970's. From as far back as anyone can remember Ephraim was truly a hard worker. While he and his wife of 16 years raised three children, he worked part-time at Good Samaritan Hospital while attending the University of Cincinnati where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree. After obtaining his degree, he began his successful career at Proctor and Gamble, from which he retired in 2001. During his career at Proctor and Gamble he was able to travel throughout the United States as well as various countries around the world. Ephraim was also the owner of several investment properties which he owned throughout retirement. Ephraim's hobbies included gardening, fishing, carpentry, cooking, and gun collecting. The harvest from his gardens fed many friends and members of the community. Another passion he had was for fishing. For several years, when his children were young, he would take them along with his mother and nephews to Canada where they caught the freshest, largest, and most delicious fish. His carpentry skills were displayed as the finishing touches throughout his homes. To say that Ephraim was a fine cook was an understatement: his holiday turkeys and his summer barbeques were considered legendary. We will all miss his generosity. Ephraim Kelly will always be remembered as a loving father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. Funeral Services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, April 4, 2013 at Calvary United Methodist Church, 412 Pike Street, Milford (45150) with Visitation from 10:00 a.m. until hour of service. Interment will follow Spring Grove Cemetery.

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