Rev. Robert ‘Bob’ P. Keely
Rev. Bob Keely, 71, of Fountain Inn, husband of Celeste Cooke Keely, fought the good fight and finished his race on Monday, October 2, 2023 while at home surrounded by his family.
Bob graduated from Western Illinois University with post-graduate work at Indiana University. He spent 30+ years with Dixie Drivers Service , as Corporate Director of Marketing. After a short retirement, he attended Duke University and Emory University while serving as a Local Pastor of the United Methodist Church for many years.
Bob served on various boards and committees: Piedmont Mental Health Board of Directors for over 30 years, several school PTA and SIC boards, Simpsonville Recreation planning committee, local food bank boards (James Monroe Mission House/Laurens County Food Ministry, Inc.) and other community organizations.
Born in Washington, IL, he was a son of the late Bill & Jean Keely. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Celeste, as well as his children, Tony (Amy) Keely, Jennie (Rusty) Taylor, Nick (Alicia) Keely, and Bryce (Jodi) Keely; five grandchildren, Landon Taylor, Noah Taylor, Reaves Keely, Fields Keely, and Kinsley Mewborne; two brothers, Jim (Chris) Keely, and David (Linda) Keely, as well as many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his in-laws, Rev. Bill & Mrs. Marian Cooke.
The family will receive friends on Friday, October 6, 2023 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm at Cannon Byrd Funeral Home – Simpsonville, 313 N. Main St., Simpsonville, SC 29681.
A Funeral Service will be held on Sunday, October 8, 2023 at 4:00 pm at Simpsonville United Methodist Church, 215 SE Main St., Simpsonville, SC 29681 with Rev. Dr. Mike Smith officiating. Interment will follow in Cannon Byrd Memorial Park in Fountain Inn.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Simpsonville Methodist Church (Discretionary Fund) or James Monroe Mission House.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to the downtown St. Francis Hospital Staff (2nd and 9th floors) and Hospice of the Upstate for the extraordinary love and care shown to Bob and his family.
So sorry for your loss
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all, Celeste! What fond memories we have of our time at Greenpond with Bob.
Thinking of you all during these difficult days. We have great memories of “get togethers” years ago. Bob was a special man and memories of him will live long. Our love and condolences.
Melinda and Trip Gilreath
So sorry to hear the loss of Pastor Bob, sending our thoughts and prayers to his family and the church.
The Nardone Family
My condolences & prayers for the Family. I first met Bob when he became one of our Rotarians in Fountain Inn. I’m thankful to have known Bob. God bless.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time.
Sending prayers, love and strength
Thinking about you during this unimaginable time. I’m so sorry and you are in my prayers! Love you!
Celeste and family:
My heart goes out to y’all at this time for I truly have been here not long ago dear friends. It was such a joy to catch up with you and Bob during our rehab time just recently and I’m sure it was a God thing to put us in the same place together like that. He will be missed but treasure the memories forever. Love Kathy, Trey and Abby Vaughan
Prayers for the families. I met Bob at the rec. dept. such a nice man.
Celeste and children,
Can’t express the sadness , we feel, about Bob’s passing.
Know we love you. Lifting prayers for comfort, through this time.
Our deepest sympathy to your family. Bob was a very special, dear man of faith. Prayers for strength and comfort.
Bill and Valerie
What a joy it was to have Rev Bob as my friend, my Paster and some one I loved. Celeste my heart is with you far we know he is not suffering and in Heaven waiting on you and I. Condolences to all the Family.
Celeste, we love you and are very saddened by Bob’s passing. We will pray for your family to feel God’s peace.
Celeste so sorry for your loss! My thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family !
Dear Celeste
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Bob has been a rock for me and Jim. We will remember him fondly. God bless
Jim and BJ❤️
Celeste our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in this difficult time. Bob has always been so nice to me and my family. Will miss seeing his smile.
Jim and I are saddened to learn of Bob’s passing. We are holding you close in our hearts and prayers.
Love, Marian
Jordan and I are sad to hear of Bob’s passing. We are praying for you and your family for peace and comfort. Bob is HOME. Love, Debbie
Lee and I are so sorry for your loss. Bob was a great man and a great role model. He will be greatly missed. Love you and praying for your family 💗💗
Celeste, Cherry and I offer our deepest condolences for the loss of Pastor Bob. He was a very special man who we were thankful to have known. We are praying for you and your family.
Phyllis and Cherry Thomas
Celeste , Lee and I are so sorry for your loss. Bob was a great man and role model. He will be greatly missed by all. Love you and praying for your family 🙏❤️
So sorry for your loss. Prayers for peace and comfort.
My heart goes out to you, Celeste and your family. Prayers and hugs during this difficult time. Love you to pieces❤️
Kerry Owen
Life is short but live is forever, my
Prayers are with you and your family
Celeste and family, so shocked and saddened to hear of Pastor Bob s passing from this life . Condolences to all during this most difficult time . Charles Kelly & Kim Whitmire
Celeste and family, so shocked and saddened to hear of Pastor Bob s passing from this life . Condolences to all during this most difficult time .
Celeste and family, I am so sorry for your loss. Bob was such a comfort to my friends when he was at Green Pond. You are in my thoughts and prayers during this time of great loss.
Sweet Celeste, please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. I pray that you feel God’s arms around you and know we love you!
Mike and Dale Anthony
Celeste and family, I am so sorry about the loss of Bob. I will be out of town so will not be able to attend any of the services. Please know that Dave and I will be praying for you all. We love you! Maureen
What a great man! A huge loss for all of us. I am so sad to hear of his passing.
Celeste, Tracy and I are so sorry for your loss. She only met Bob once at an event in town but she remembered him for being so kind. He was a great coach for Braden and that Trinity Church basketball squad. He never got rattled or too excited. He was always so positive and encouraging. A great leader with a humble servants heart.
It was such a pleasure to have our paths cross for a short period of time. My deepest thoughts and prayers for you and the family, Celeste.
Celeste and family,
I was so sorry to hear about Bob. He was such a good man. I am sure he will be missed by many. Your family will continue to be in my prayers. Much love to all.
Nick, Alicia and Family,
We are so very sorry. Praying for comfort for you and praising God your dad is home in Heaven.
Prayers from you Wingnutz family 🙏🏻
Celeste, I am so sorry for your loss. Bob was such a sweet man and a great friend. He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him. Y’all were such a wonderful couple! I pray that they loving memories you have will give you comfort. May God provide the strength necessary during the difficult times ahead. You are in my prayers, dear one.
With much love and many hugs,
Dot Turner
We would like to express to the Keely family how sorry we are to learn of Bob’s passing. He was a good friend and a close co-worker, please know that you all are in our prayers during this time of sorrow.
Wilton & Joan Fowler
Prayers are with you and your family.
Celeste, It is sad and with regrets that I learned of Bob’s death. Our prayers are with you and your family at this very difficult time. I very much the contributions and support of Bob during his many years on the Piedmont Center for Mental Health services Board.. He continued where your father, Dr. Bill Cooke left off. God Bless. Joe James
Celeste, our thoughts and prayers are with you, your children, and family. Pastor Bob was a blessing for us each time we were in his presence.
Love and condolences,
Michelle and Dean Ford
Sorry to here this prayers for the family
Celeste and Family –
We are heartbroken to learn of Bob’s passing. Bob was a blessing to everyone he encountered. We are praying for your family.
Much love to you all –
Clint, Kelly, Sara & Will Nalley
So sorry to hear about Bob’s passing. I worked for him at Dixie. He was a great person to work for. Tony and Jennie always loved my mom’s PB&J. We will have you in our thoughts and prayers during this time. The McQueen and Tennes Families
Celeste,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Prayers,
Kelly Hodges