Mr. Charles Kelly Barrow is a native Georgian, born in Atlanta and raised in DeKalb County and the Tucker area. As a child, his interests in The War were influenced by the stories he heard from his parents and grandparents. He attended DeKalb College where he took classes under Coach Tommy Barber. It was Coach Barber who encouraged him to attend Shorter College and to ultimately become a teacher. He graduated from Shorter College in 1988 with a B.S. in Social Science and Military Science. Kelly worked as a Legislative Aide in the General Assembly for three years. He obtained his M.A. in Social Studies, History and Education from Piedmont College and his Ed.S in Administration from Lincoln Memorial University. He currently teaches Social Studies at Locust Grove High School and resides in Griffin, Georgia with his wife, Cassie and two children Georgianah and William.

In 1979, he joined the Sons of Confederate Veterans. During his 31 years as a member, he has served in many capacities, including Camp Commander, Brigade Commander, Historian of the GA Division, Historian of the Army of Tennessee, Historian-in-Chief, National Awards Chairman, Army of Tennessee Councilman, and Commander of the Army of Tennessee. Currently Kelly is Lt. Commander-in-Chief of the SCV.

In addition to the SCV, Kelly is the youngest commissioner ever appointed (2000) to the Georgia Civil War Commission and is currently Treasurer. He holds numerous other memberships in historical organizations and trusts.

He is the author of three books, The History of the Georgia Division, SCV: The First 100 Years, Black Confederates, and Black Southerners in Confederate Armies along with a numerous other articles and pamphlets on Southern History.