Asa Bruce Kerley

Asa “Bruce” Kerley, age 78, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family on May 13, 2026. He was born August 4, 1947, in Taylorsville, North Carolina, only son of the late Rev. Asa and Billie Davis Kerley.

Bruce served his country in the United States Army for two years during the Vietnam War. Upon returning home, he worked various jobs before eventually venturing into the Poultry Farm Business. He enjoyed spending time with family, taking reminiscent rides to places of old, and talking shop about the many facets of the poultry farm. If you saw him at home, you would find him talking on the phone or watching a variety of games shows and Westerns on TV.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a grandson, Jonathan Deal.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Elaine; three daughters, Julia (Joel) McIlvain, Rebekah (Dwayne) Moretz, and Anna (Todd) Austin; eleven grandchildren, Wendy Stanley, Brianna Deal, Brittany Robertson, Jacob Deal, Nathaniel Moretz, Jeremiah Moretz, Jackson Deal, Joseph Bowman, Bethany Moretz, Trinity and Chloe Laws; and seven great-grandchildren, Aiden Deal, Melody Menegay, Elspeth Robertson, Lochland Robertson, Elaina Deal, Tucker Moretz, and James Keller. Additionally, he is survived by three sisters; Mildred Crawford, Dena Trantum, and Ruth Elder, along with many other family and friends that will sadly miss him.

A visitation will be held Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Alexander Funeral Service from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. The funeral service will be Saturday, May 16, 2026, in the Alexander Funeral Service Chapel at 3:00 pm. Burial will be in the Watts-Bumgarner Cemetery. Rev. Tony Daniels and Rev. Eddie Jolly will officiate. Nathaniel Moretz, Jeremiah Moretz, Jacob Deal, Jackson Deal, Joseph Bowman, and Jacob Stanley will serve as pallbearers. Military Rites will be provided.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorial contributions be made in Bruce’s memory to the benevolence fund at Lebanon Baptist Church, 70 Mt. Olive Church Road, Taylorsville, NC 28681.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Alexander Funeral and Cremation Service.

Condolences may be sent to www.alexfuneralservice.com