Kelley Len Blevins

Mr. Kelley Len Blevins age 58, of Chattanooga, TN, passed away on Tuesday, October 25, 2022, after a courageous battle with brain cancer. Kelley was raised in Chattanooga, TN, son of the late Prent Blevins and his mother, Peggy Blevins, and the devoted brother of his sister Annelliese. He was beloved by his family. Kelley was a great swimmer and was a longtime Lifeguard. A great athlete, he would later run long distances throughout the boroughs of New York City. Starting in 1982 Kelley studied at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, FL where he majored in Liberal Arts, Communications and Journalism. In 1986, he attended the University of Tennessee College of Law.

In 1990, Kelley moved to New York City where he worked for multiple illustrious publications such as Women’s Wear Daily, Town and Country, Ocean Drive and BIG. He became well known for his gift in writing and his public relations skills. A few years later, Kelley decided to spin off on his own and launched Kelley Blevins, Inc. As quoted in Ocean Drive Magazine:

“PR Man, Kelley Blevins, is well known for his unique word-of-mouth handling of his fashion, product, and real estate clients such as Christina Perrin and the Hotel Saint Augustine.”

To align his expanding business with his interest in global brand development, Kelley founded KBG (“Kelley Blevins Group”) where he advised illustrious clients including the Spanish architect, Ricardo Bofill, Alison Spear AIA and fashion designers such as Malani Marjani and Morgane Le Fay. All of his clients inevitably became dear friends, and Kelley was devoted to them.

One of Kelley’s many gifts was his foresight-the ability to detect emerging trends early. He was an early proponent of The Green Shows where Fashion-meets-Sustainability. He worked with them from 2014-2016. As a conduit to stimulate debate and challenge the conventional thinking about our planet earth and its sustainability, Kelley had recently launched a new company aptly named “Redesigning the World.” In Kelley’s words, the company’s mission statement was “Positive Impact is my Passion and Purpose. Redesigning Regeneratively.”

About his own background and persona, Kelley once described himself candidly:

“Wordly, authentic, loyal, I am a professional business developer, relentless “hunter”, published writer, and fair and balanced communications executive with 25 plus years of experience in public relations. I have done marketing and promotion of exquisite architecture, design, fashion, global events, sustainability, and travel through storytelling and first-person encounters. I strive to maintain a strategic and intuitive antenna pointed toward word-craft, youthful thinking, integrity, and savvy yet unpretentious sophistication. My ultimate conscious and intentional eye are always directed toward making our world better and more sustainable for the next generation. Blessed and healing.”

In contrast to the glamorous circles he traveled in professionally, Kelley remained self-effacing, reserved, and “low key.” He avoided the spotlight, chose to live in a five floor “walk-up” mini sky loft in New York’s Noho neighborhood, preferred public transportation, and flying coach, (even though he travelled the world!)

Another friend, Kimi Sato, reminisces, “I recall Kelley never saying “no” to any request I had. He was the kindest soul who indulged all his friends. He never judged, he only accepted. That’s the prevailing image of Kelley I shall always hold dear to my heart.”

Until the end, Kelley had a desire to seize what life he had left-he always looked for the next new idea and plan. He never complained, felt scared, or sorry for himself. Kelley had a zest for life and believed that the Lord would take care of him. For all of his goodness, surely, he will “Redesign the World.”

In addition to his mother and sister, Kelley is survived by his aunts, Clara Terry, Beverly Black, and Carol Wilson; a nephew, Richard Tyler Arnold; other extended family; and the Lynn Arnold family.

A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, October 28, 2022, at 2:30 P.M., Heritage Funeral Home with Dr. Render Caines officiating. Interment will be held Saturday at 2 P.M. Smith-Forbes Cemetery in Oneida, TN.

Visitation will be held Friday from 12:30 P.M. until the service hour at Heritage Funeral Home.

The following will serve as pallbearers: Tyler Arnold, Richard Sexton, Ethan Sexton, and Rick King.

In lieu of flowers the family respectfully requests memorial contributions be made to American Cancer Society P.O. Box 6704 Hagerstown, MD 21741.

Special thanks to Hospice of Chattanooga and Caregivers.

Visit the online obituary www.heritagechattanooga.com to post tributes and share memories.

This obituary is provided as a courtesy of Jones & Son and West-Murley Funeral Homes.

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