CHARLESTON, Maine - On Sunday, March 5, 2017, Ralph Fred Jelley Senior, 103, of Greenfield, Ma returned home to be with his eternal maker. A man of power and grace, Ralph dedicated all his days to ministry in many churches throughout New England. He was laid to rest and entered into his divine inheritance, surrounded by his children in Charleston, Maine.
Born in Rockingham, Vermont on May 26, 1913, Ralph was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Fred Jelley. Reverend Ralph Jelley was married on March 30, 1940 to Dorothy Shepherd (1914 - 2013), a lively redhead with zeal in her bones. Both Ralph and Dorothy graduated from Zion Bible College in East Providence, Rhode Island. Together they pastored a church in Apponaug, Rhode Island, and constructed and lead churches in Greenfield, Massachusetts, Hartford, Connecticut and Petersburg, New York.
Ralph was quite the handy-man. While doing ministry he also attended the Coyne Electrical School. In his mid-90's, Ralph was often seen chopping wood, shoveling snow off his roof, and could be found riding 13 miles on his stationary bike each day. He was strong and sharp with quick wit, until the day of his death.
While Reverend Jelley retired in 1980, he however, continued traveling throughout New England, speaking at local churches about the power and authority of God. He lead many to repentance even in his old age. Ralph developed radio programs in a dusty office room in his home, on Smith Street for Living Waters Assembly of God Church. Ralph filled the air with the praise of heaven, and was eager to lead others to walk in the fullness of Christ Jesus. While humble on earth, Ralph stored up his riches in Heaven.
He leaves behind a legacy of faith, daughter, Darlene Jelley Clark, son, Ralph Jelley Jr. and his wife Pamela of Charleston, Maine, daughter, Lois Gray of Concho, Arizona and son, John Jelley and his wife Faith of Massillon, Ohio. Reverend Jelley has a lineage of many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.
The Reverend David Levandusky will officiate at the Celebration of Life Service being held at the Living Waters Assembly of God Church in Greenfield, Massachusetts on Saturday, March 18 at 10 AM.
Join us in tribute to celebrate the life that Ralph now walks in, in the eternal Kingdom. "Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us."

Published in The Recorder on Mar. 16, 2017