Rev. Sean Patrick Roper Kelley, Sr.

Rev. Sean P. Roper Kelley, 46, was born February 10, 1972 in Palm Springs, California to Jesse and Gladys Parris. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Sister Abby Roper, Brother Daryl Flint, Uncle Willie Roper, Aunt Mary Russell, and nephew D'Andre Byers.

Funeral services will be Monday, November 12, 2018 at 2:00 P.M. at Ebenezer Baptist Church with Rev. Paul Kelley officiating. Visitation with the family will be Monday from 1:00 until 2:00 P.M. at the Church. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery. The Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home has been entrusted with the final care.

Sean was affectionately known as "Doc" by his family and friends. He received his education in the Atchison public schools, and graduated from Atchison High School in 1990. He joined the Job Corps in Clearwater, Utah and also attended San Diego Technical College.

Sean accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at the Zion Missionary Baptist Church. He attended Second Christian Church and Ebenezer Baptist Church. He later accepted his calling and was ordained as a minister. He was dedicated to helping everyone he came in contact with, joyfully spreading God's word whenever the opportunity arose.

Sean met and married Christina Gasper in 1996, and three sons Sean, Alex, and Joseph were born to that union. In December 2010, Sean remarried and chose Sarah Miller as his bride. Sarah was dedicated to Sean as a loving and faithful wife and caregiver.

Sean was blessed with a gifted voice, and he enjoyed sharing it with others as part of church choirs and the Kelley Family Choir. His favorite songs to sing were "My Soul Has Been Anchored in the Lord, and "I Won't Complain." He was also part of many singing groups including Redeemed Voices in Praise (which he founded with Zina Jenkins, Chris Copeland, Monique Thompson, and Brad Boldridge), Versatility with Bill White and Anthony Ross, and male quartet "The Redeemed" with Alfred Getter, Sr., David Reynolds, and Rev. Gary Ross.

Sean was a man with a very caring, generous spirit and a big heart. He loved to laugh and smile, and was a constant "comedian." He kept everyone roaring with laughter and was the center of the room at any gathering. Sean's favorite pastimes included dancing, fishing, cooking (Ribs & Greens were his specialty), watching movies, playing the bass guitar, and spending time with family.

Left to cherish his memory are, his loving and devoted wife Sarah Roper-Kelly of the home; four sons Sean Roper-Kelley of the United States Marines, Alexander Kelley, Joseph Roper-Kelley, and Jesse Roper-Kelley all of Atchison; his parents Jessie (Flossie) Roper of Kansas City, Kansas, and Gladys Kelley (Rev. Michael Kelley) of Atchison, KS, a sister, Zina Jenkins and a step-sister Cynthia Ware, both of Kansas City, KS, a brother Michael Kelley (Marisa) of Dalton, GA; special brothers, Brad Boldridge (Althera) of Blue Springs, MO; Chris Copeland of Council Bluffs, IA; James (Jimmy) Martinez and Bill White of Atchison; special cousins, Monique Thompson, George Kelley, Jr. and Vincent Oliver, and a host of uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.