Beulah Mae Kessinger

Beulah Kessinger was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, sister, and friend. She was the heart and soul of the large, tight-knit family she created. Beulah exuded love and warmth; she shared her talents for quilting and puzzling generously with her friends and family. She was extraordinarily funny, kind, and tough.

Beulah built an incredible life from humble beginnings. She was born on March 26, 1928, to Fred and Pearl Powell. She was raised in Grayson County, Kentucky and was the oldest of nine children. Beulah quickly became a dedicated and loving caregiver, helping to raise her younger siblings. She spent her childhood on the family farm, where she learned to tend to crops, to cook, to sew, and to take care of her “people.” Beulah attended a one-room schoolhouse and achieved and eighth grade education, even while balancing her family responsibilities with her studies. In her final days, Beulah reminisced about life on her family farm, her beloved momma and daddy, and her siblings Alfred, Agnes, Sammy, Maynard, Paul, Carolyn, Kay, and Karl.

She married at 17 years old and later moved to Louisville. She had five children—four sons and a daughter—and helped to raise countless nieces and nephews. She shared everything she had, even when it was not much with her family. At Beulah’s house there was always a good dinner and a warm bed for anyone who needed it. Many of Beulah’s brothers and sisters lived alongside her and her four sons in her small, two-bedroom home as they searched for a job, pursued an education, or recovered from illness.

Throughout her adult life, Beulah worked tirelessly to support her sons. She worked several factory and retail jobs before spending more than 30 years at Phillip Morris as a machine operator. Beulah was tenacious and did not let her petite, five-foot two-inch frame, limit her from heavy lifting and manual labor. Beulah also ventured into entrepreneurship later in life, selling Shaklee products alongside her brother and sister-in-law, Paul and Brenda.

Despite her unmatched work ethic and resiliency, nothing Beulah did was for her own material gain. As she progressed in her career at Phillip Morris, reaching 10, 15, 20, and 25-year milestones she honored her sons by selecting the gifts she knew they most needed, like a new a leather briefcase for a job interview. As a mother, Beulah demonstrated her remarkable patience and practicality. She often urged her active sons to take a wrestling match outside, rather than squash their spirit. She enjoyed a house full of noise as they grew and brought wives and kids back to spend time with her.

Beulah persevered through a great deal of hardship during her life. She lost her infant daughter (Marilyn Joyce), she became a single mother, and she saw her eldest son drafted for the Vietnam War. Yet, through every challenge she emerged stronger. She learned to drive at the age of 42, had a productive career, raised four incredible sons, and cared for ten grandchildren.

Beulah also cherished her friends. She went to movies, concerts, and on trips with loved ones. In 1977, she attended her first concert to see Elvis live. Beulah loved country music of all kinds; she enjoyed shows at the Lincoln Jamboree and particularly relished when her brother, Karl, or niece, Heidi, sang. She went on adventures near and far to visit family or see new places, including trips to Colorado, Tennessee, Georgia, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. One of her most special trips was a cruise she took with her sister, Kay, to the Caribbean Islands.

Even after Beulah retired, she found ways to “keep her hands busy.” She was never idle. She had an extraordinary talent for quilting and later puzzling, creating hundreds of works of art. For decades, she carefully made quilts for her children and their families representing an array of their interests. As her dexterity declined, she shifted to assembling puzzles.

More than all her adventures, accomplishments, and creative talents, Beulah cherished her “babies”—the term she used interchangeably for her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. Her entire family was an engaged and active part of her life; her home was often a revolving door of visitors. In her final days, every one of children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren came to kiss her goodbye or called her from afar to express their love.

Beulah lived a truly remarkable life and will be missed dearly. She is survived by her sister, Kay Ledford, her four sons and their wives: Walt and Marti Kessinger, Wayne and Regina Kessinger, Larry and Judy Kessinger, and Gary and Debra Kessinger. She is also survived by ten grandchildren and their spouses: Mike and Jenny Kessinger, Chad and Robin Kessinger, Kathy Kessinger Robinson, Kim and Jim Kraeszig, Todd and Ashley Kessinger, Krista and Chris Wells, Kelly and Rob Bratcher, Raquel Kessinger, Grant and Tara Kessinger, and Marilyn (Isa) Kessinger. Additionally, she has 23 great grandchildren: Justin, Logan, Lukas, Anna, Courtney, Jake, Madalynn, Rex, Klay, Kole, Kody, Konner, Jimmy, Hunter, Vince, Anthony, Max, Whitney, Barrett, Emma, Callen, Clark, and Jack as well as three great-great grandchildren Jaxon, Reagan, and Alyssa.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am EST on Thursday, January 11, 2024 at Leitchfield Memorial Chapel with Bro. Dave Cordrey officiating. Burial will be in Broadford Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 1:00 pm EST until 8:00 pm EST on Wednesday and again from 9:00 am EST until service time on Thursday at the funeral home.

Whitney's Wings is a non profit organization, which was started by Beulah's great-granddaughter, that works to provide comfort and love to underprivileged children in the local community where most of Beulah's family resides. In the past ten years, Whitneys Wings has helped several hundred kids. In lieu of flowers, you can make a donation using the QR or write a check. Each and every donation is greatly appreciated.

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