Penn-Kessinger Cemetery
The cemetery is located on the property of James River High School just outside the baseball diamond.
Wesley T. Kessinger was born in Giles County on September 23, 1856. He was the son of Andrew Kessinger and Martha Kirk. He married Annie Penn, daughter of Andrew Penn and Martha Bowyer Penn, on December 18, 1913 in Botetourt County. Wesley and Annie had one son and three orphaned children in the 1920 census. Their home was on James River Pike. Wesley T. Kessinger died on April 1, 1913. Young & Desper Undertakers in Springwood handled the arrangements.
Wesley T. Kessinger Jr. was born May 11, 1917. He served in the U.S. Navy in WWII. Wesley married Norma Louise Livesay in Hampton. He died on February 21, 1969. M.P. Carder Funeral Directors of Bedford handled the arrangements.
A stillborn female child, the daughter of Wesley and Annie, born and died July 15, 1915 is also in an unmarked gravesite. Information from Botetourt County Deaths by Charles Burton.
Annie Penn Kessinger was born June 12, 1883 to William Penn and Pattie Dillard Penn. She died on April 10, 1964 and is in an unmarked gravesite in this cemetery. Arrangements were handled by Rader Funeral Home of Buchanan.
Those with additional information on this cemetery are urged to contact the Botetourt Genealogy Club at doreatr@yahoo.com.
