Kelley Enterprises

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[edit] Cotton Producer in Tennessee

Kelley Enterprises is a cotton business in West Tennessee that was founded in 1920 in Garland, Tennessee by John Kelley. It is one of the largest cotton producers in Tennessee and the country. The company is still run by members of the Kelley family. John Kelley was a farmer in Covington, Tennessee which is fifty miles north of Memphis. He founded the Kelcot Wharehouses in Garland, Tennessee in the 1920's and it was soon successful. After Kelley's death, the company was run by Reese Kelley, John's oldest living son (the first son was John Jr. who died in World War II). Reese Kelley expanded Kelcot Wharehouses throughout the state and it became Kelley Enterprises. Reese Kelley ran the company alongside his younger brother Albert, who was in charge of the company when Reese retired. Albert Kelley also served in the State House, before being defeated by Jimmy Nafieh, the current Speaker of the House of Tennessee. Reese had two daughters and it was Albert's sons Richard and Clay Kelley who currently run the business. Richard Kelley is also hold a seat as one of the Ginners on the National Cotton Council. The Kelley's are one of the most respected Southern families in Tennessee and most of them all attend the University of Mississippi or the University of Tennessee. They are also well known for their contribution to politics. Albert Kelley not only held a seat in the Tennessee House of Representatives, but his niece Theta Roane Kelley also ran for the office and was the Tipton County Schools superintendent at one time. George Thomas Holland III was on the Memphis City Council and was a Shelby County Commissioner. Holland is the son-in-law of Reese Kelley whose wife, Martha Reese Kelley, is the chair of the League of Women Voters, and a chair of the Tipton County Democratic Party. Many of the Kelley family, such as Patsy Yarborough, are known for giving huge endorsements to candidates. Kelcot Wharehouses brought in nine million dollars last year. Kelley Enterprises owns over half the cotton companies in West Tennessee. Richard Kelley is the current owner.