Beech Tree News Network

Rita Dianne (Kelley) Kessinger, 73 of Morgantown, KY passed away Thursday March 13, 2025 in her home surrounded by family and friends. Dianne was born November 15, 1951 to the late Glendon and Betty (Evans) Kelley. She was preceded in death by her brother, Michael Kelley and her sisters Donna Havens and Deena Adkins. 

Dianne lived life to its fullest, dedicated to loving her family and friends and caring for others. She was a loving grandmother who cherished her grandsons dearly. She enjoyed weekly Canasta night with family and friends. She also enjoyed fishing, being in the outdoors, church activities, singing and played the piano. 

Dianne was a retired nurse. She spent 25 years as a home health nurse and cared for many patients in Butler and surrounding counties. She dedicated herself to her patients and their families and frequently visited them in the nursing home later. Her love for her patients and the community was an inspiration her patients, their families and her co-workers. Dianne attended Mt. Vernon Baptist Church and was a long-time member of Dexterville Homemakers. She also participated in countless community events over the years. 

Dianne is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 53 years, Larel Kessinger, and their daughter, Melissa Kessinger (Thomas Adkins) of Morgantown and two grandsons, Jacob (Olivia) and Brent Adkins. Dianne was also very important in the lives of her nieces and nephews: Jenny Belcher, Junior Kelley (Amanda), Kelley Minton and Paul Burden and all their children and grandchildren, her great-nieces and nephews. She also had a big extended Kessinger family, including special family Vernal and Martha Kessinger, Vern and Darren who often visited and spent time with Dianne and Larel, and many more nieces and nephews. She also had many special lifelong friends including Gaye, Pat, Bonnie, Ruth, and many others. Dianne was a friend to everyone and leaves behind a legacy of love and caring for all whose lives she touched. 

Funeral services will be held at the Mt Vernon Missionary Baptist Church Monday, March 17, 2025 at 1:00pm with Bro. Danny Mooneyhan and Bro. T J Howard officiating. Burial will be in the Mt Vernon Cemetery where Junior Kelley, Thomas Adkins, Jonathan Belcher, Logan Belcher, Darren Kessinger and Paul Burden will serve as pallbearers. Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 16, 2025 from 4:00pm - 7:00 at the Jones Funeral Chapel and Monday 10:00am until funeral time at 1:00pm at Mt Vernon Missionary Baptist Church. Please share any photos, memories, condolences or light a candle in memory of Dianne at www.jonesfuneralchapel.com. Jones Funeral Chapel is honored to be serving the family of Rita Dianne Kessinger