Julie Lynn Beach Kersey, 62, of Mannington, passed away at home on Nov. 12, 2020, after a brave battle with cancer. Julie was born on Nov. 11, 1958, in Morgantown, the daughter of Corbit D. Beach Sr. and Jane L. (Kerns) Beach, of Mannington. She was the oldest girl in a family of six children, and she was a loving influence on all of them.
Julie graduated from Clay-Battelle High School in 1976 and West Virginia University in 1994 with her BA. She married the love of her life, James Michael Kersey, of Mannington, and gave birth to her beloved daughter, Emily. She and her family lived in Stephens City, Va., and Waukegan, Ill., before moving back to West Virginia in 2010. Julie had a way of making everyone she met feel like they were the most important person in the world. She greeted everyone with a hug and the biggest smile. She was a unique combination of beautiful and intelligent, mischievous and giving and loving and fun. Her joy shone through everything she did, even at the end of her life.
In addition to her husband of 34 years, James, Julie is survived by her daughter, Emily Kersey, of Mannington; stepson, James Michael Kersey II (Norma), of New Market, Va.; stepdaughter, Melissa Jo Kersey, of Melbourne, Fla; two step-granddaughters, Krissia and Elsy, both of New Market, Va.; one brother Corbett Beach Jr. (Alice), of Westover; and sisters, Allison Burnell, of Mannington, Rebecca Beach, of Fairmont, Jennifer Beach (Howie Gowan), of Mannington, and Molly Larner (Scott), of Charlotte, N.C. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles, in-laws, cousins, coworkers and too many friends to list. Her beloved pets, Daisy, Mao and Buck, will miss her dearly.
Julie was preceded in death by paternal grandparents, Justin and Alma Beach, of Mt. Morris, Pa.; maternal grandparents, Jerry and Ollie Mae (Vance) Kerns, of Morgantown; and several aunts, uncles, cousins and her dear dog, Peanut.
Julie and her family wish to thank the staff of the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center, especially Dr. Kurian, Walt and Krystal. Julie left behind a long list of people who touched her life, and the family will be reaching out to each of them personally to convey her thanks.
Julie preferred to have a celebration of life before she died, which was held virtually due to the current pandemic, rather than memorial services.
Dorsey Funeral Home, 701 S. Pike St., Shinnston, WV 26431, is handling the cremation arrangements. In lieu of flowers, it was Julie’s wishes that donations be made to the Marion County Humane Society. Dorsey Funeral Home is honored to assist the Kersey family during this time.
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”— Maya Angelou
