Elizabeth Matthews Kessinger

Published 5:01 pm Monday, August 21, 2023

Libby Kessinger, 86, died Aug. 18, 2023 with family by her side.  A native of Powellsville, N.C., she was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, William E. Kessinger; parents, Richard and Tinnie Matthews and nephew, Thomas Ryan Jr.  Libby retired from James River Bankshares with over 30 years of service.  She was a member of Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church and former member of the Eastern Star; past president of the GFWC Junto Woman’s Club, Women’s Auxiliary Chuckatuck Volunteer Fire Department and Women of the Elks.

Libby is survived by her children, William “Billy” Kessinger (Pat) of Suffolk and Carolyn Rawlings (Bobby) of Greenville, W.V.; two sisters, Shirley Ryan (Tom) and Billie Jo Hoggard (Basil); one brother, Richard Irvin Matthews (Carolyn); four grandchildren, William Kessinger (Erin), Jason Rawlings (Rachel), James Rawlings (Danielle) and Richard Kessinger (Megan); nine great-grandchildren and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 22, at Wesley Chapel Church Cemetery.  The family will receive friends the hour before services at Wesley Chapel UMC. Sturtevant Funeral Home, Suffolk is in charge. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Suffolk Foundation, 110 Finney Ave., Suite 100, Suffolk, VA 23434, https://g.co/kgs/kK23Qv

SturtevantFH.com