Jerome Carlton Kelly

Jerome Carlton Kelly, known to many as Carlton, was born on August 10, 1936, to Jerome and Mildred Stancil Kelly.

He grew up in Wilson, North Carolina. He attended Charles L. Koon High School but left before graduating. Carlton was known for his easygoing nature, his personable demeanor, and his ability to make friends effortlessly.

Over the years, Carlton worked in various jobs, including food service and lawn care. He maintained strong ties with his family, a testament to his warmhearted nature.

Carlton married Betty Jean Langley on September 10, 1955, in Wilson, North Carolina. The couple welcomed their son, Kenneth Gene, in November 1961. However, their marriage ended in divorce on June 7, 1966, in Wilson County. Betty later passed away on December 18, 2021, and was laid to rest in Maplewood Cemetery in Wilson, North Carolina.

In July 23, 1985, Carlton married Edna Dupree, but their union was short-lived, ending in divorce on March 2, 1988. He later married Connie Baker on March 31, 1989, in South Carolina. Their marriage also ended in divorce on October 8, 1992.

During his life, Carlton faced serious health challenges, including pancreatic cancer. He joined a prayer group and underwent surgery to remove a large tumor. His faith remained steadfast, and he attributed his healing to the Lord. Inspired by his experience, he became an evangelist, traveling and speaking across North Carolina. Carlton formed a close friendship with Wilson evangelist Tommy Hagan, a member of the Assembly of God Church, who hosted a Christian radio program on the local public TV station.

Carlton continued working in various jobs and later married Ester Pearl in 1995. Ester worked as a beautician, and the couple had a son together. Unfortunately, their marriage also ended soon after their child's birth.

Family and community remained central to Carlton's life. He cherished attending Stancil family reunions, participating in them for many years between 1984 and 2007. He also spent time doing yard work for his aunt, Pat Stancil Whitfield, his mother's sister. Pat provided him with support, helping him secure a place to live and ensuring he had the necessities of life.

As his health declined, Carlton moved into a rest home in Clinton, North Carolina, where he was regularly visited by family, including Butch. Eventually, Alzheimer's disease claimed his life on July 8, 2016. He was laid to rest at Maplewood Cemetery in Wilson, North Carolina.

Carlton's life was filled with challenges, faith, and deep connections with loved ones. His legacy lives on through the many friendships he cultivated and the family who remembers him fondly.