Charles Austin (Rusty) Kelly Obituary (1952 - 2025)

Born Sep 16, 1952, Charles Austin (Rusty) Kelly attended William Byrd High School in Vinton, VA. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Charles Austin (rusty) Kelly.

Graduation Year	Class of 1970
Date of Birth	Sep 16, 1952
Date of Passing	Nov 20, 2025
About	Charles Austin “Rusty” Kelly left this plane of existence sometime between the evening hours of Tuesday, November 18th and the early morning hours of Wednesday, November 19, 2025, passing peacefully in his sleep. He was preceded in death by his father, Charles Stuart Kelly, of Vinton; his mother, Juanita India Austin Kelly, of Vinton; his oldest brother, David Stuart Kelly, of Vinton; his older sister, Sandra Anita Kelly, also of Vinton. He is survived by his sister, Karen Kelly Luke, of Rocky Mount; his niece, Shelley Luke Plunkett of Lebanon, PA (Anthony) and grand nephews, Jake and Owen and grandniece, Quinn; his nephew, Scot Luke of Vinton (Jennifer Crush) Vinton and grandnephew, Mathew; as well as many cousins from Ohio, Illinois, Virginia and North Carolina. He also leaves behind his former wife, Rebecca McCarroll of Conway, SC and her son, Chris. Rusty was born in 1952 and experienced all the things there were to experience as he came of age in the 1970s, graduating from William Byrd High School in 1970. After graduating high school, he hitchhiked across the United States and back, much to the consternation of his mother. He was a lifelong learner and had an intense passion for reading, writing and music. He put his love of writing to good use and reviewed the local music scene and concerts in Roanoke with the Roanoke Times and World News for a brief period. He stayed in the music scene and was able to meet many iconic musicians throughout his life, but his biggest love was for John Lennon and the Beatles. Rusty loved inquiry and delved into world religions and philosophies, always questioning the meaning of our existence on this planet. Rusty also loved the Chicago Bears. Digging yogis and The Bears may seem oxymoronic, but not for Rusty. He embraced all facets of life, including Ghandi and Walter Payton. He loved his family, and was a steward for his mother and sister, Sandra when they became ill. He always kept informed regarding his nieces’ and nephews’ lives. He was very much looking forward to seeing family on Thanksgiving this year, and to be honest, eating some pie. Rusty never turned down some good pie. Rusty is now off on his biggest adventure as he finally figures out what happens after shaking his earthly coil. He leaves behind hundreds of friends and family who are left to treasure their time spent with him and who will never forget him, his beneficent spirit, quick wit and his absolutely memorable laughter. If there is one word that Rusty would want to leave behind for all to consider, it would be the word, “Peace.” That is what he would wish for us, and it is what we wish for him.