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Kelly Wayne Greene Jr., 40, of Elizabethton, Tenn., went home to be with Jesus on Thursday, October 10, 2024, at Johnson City Medical Center. Kelly was born in Asheville, N.C., on October 2, 1984 to the late Pamela Greene and his father, Kelly Wayne Greene Sr.

Kelly shared a daughter with his high school sweetheart, Debra Smith. Their daughter’s name is Brynlee Gail Smith. Brynlee has a brother, Charles Smith, and her sister, Chloe Smith. Kelly Wayne loved all three of these kids. They were the love of his life. Brynlee loved her daddy to the end of the world and back.

Those that knew Kelly knew that he had a big ole heart. He would help anybody any way he could. He loved to fix things and if you needed something fixed he would do his best to fix it for you. Whatever your need was, Kelly Wayne would try to help you. That’s just his nature.

Kelly Wayne thought enough about helping other people that he donated his organs so that other souls would have a better life or even save a life. I think we all should consider doing this. The Tennessee Donor Service has been so good during this time and they deserve a great big Thank You. Kat and Brent have been so supportive and have kept the family up to date on the care of our loved one.

Kelly’s second love of his life was playing the guitar. He mastered so many Lynyrd Skynyrd songs. His daddy taught him to play and he took off from there being a much better picker than his ole man. One of the highlights of K.W.’s life was when his dad introduced him to Artimus Pyle, the drummer for Skynyrd, a Rock ’n Roll Hall of Famer. This inspired him more when he also met the guitar players for the band. He loved music with all of his heart.

Kelly leaves behind two stepbrothers, Israel Ottinger of Sevierville, Tenn., and David Creech from Pfinztal, Germany; many aunts and uncles, great-aunts and uncles and even a great-great-uncle, Robert Greene; not to mention a ton of cousins and friends.

A service to celebrate the life of Kelly Wayne will be held on October 27 at Zion Baptist Church, 1982 Gap Creek Road, Elizabethton, TN 37643. Visitation will be from 5 to 6 p.m. Music will be provided by the Zion Baptist Church Choir. Special music will be provided by members of the church. 

Thanks to the Carter County Sheriff’s Office for their kindness and support. Thanks to the Trauma Team at Johnson City Medical Center for their very professional way that they have assisted the family. If you wish to donate to the family you may do so by sending it to Zion Baptist Church, 1982 Gap Creek Road, Elizabethton, TN 37643. But donating your organs gives life.

Mountain Empire Cremation and Burial Services are honored to serve the Greene family.