Julie Lynn (Beach) Kersey

Julie Lynn Beach Kersey, age 62, of Mannington West Virginia, passed away at home on November 12, 2020 after a brave battle with cancer. Julie was born on November 11, 1958 in Morgantown, WV, 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, Virginia and Waukegan, Illinois 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, loving and fun. Her joy shone through everything she did, even at the end of her life. 

In addition to her husband of thirty-four years, James, Julie is survived by her daughter Emily Kersey of Mannington; stepson James Michael Kersey II  (Norma) of New Market, Virginia; stepdaughter Melissa Jo Kersey of Melbourne, Florida; two step granddaughters, Krissia and Elsy, both of New Market, VA; one brother Corbett Beach Jr. (Alice) of Westover, WV; sisters Allison Burnell of Mannington, Rebecca Beach of Fairmont, Jennifer Beach (Howie Gowan) of Mannington, and Molly Larner (Scott) of Charlotte, North Carolina. 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, Pennsylvania; maternal grandparents Jerry and Ollie Mae (Vance) Kerns of Morgantown, WV, 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 Street, 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 (WV) 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

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Julie Lynn (Beach) Kersey, please visit our floral store.