Darleen Board Kessinger

Loving, faithful, competitive, strong-willed, and giving, Darleen (Faye) Board Kessinger’s love of God, family, and life didn’t come to an end with her death. Darleen passed away in Helena, Alabama after a 26-year, courageous battle with cancer on December 17, 2024, at the age of 75.

Darleen moved between Illinois and Virginia as a young girl, attending Princess Anne High School in what is now Virginia Beach, VA. She was a good student and participated in high school sports as a Majorette. After high school, she attended and graduated from Virginia Wesleyan College in nearby Norfolk, VA, competing on the basketball team. Virginia Wesleyan is where she fell in love with James Alan Kessinger. She married James in January 1969 and loved him through 55 years of marriage. She and James started a family in 1970 and raised two sons in Virginia Beach. She was fortunate enough to have a choice between working or staying home to raise a family, she chose the latter.

After raising her family, she and James relocated from Virginia Beach, VA to Hoover and eventually settled in Helena, AL. While in Alabama, she participated in many clubs and volunteer organizations, such as Garden Clubs and New Neighbors, where she enjoyed welcoming new families to the neighborhood. The one organization that gave her the most fulfillment was the Angel Squad, where she was a founding member. In 2013 she was a recipient of the “Life Inspiration Award” from the American Cancer Society for her commitment to helping others through life with cancer.

The quote on her award reads:

Hope springs from life’s desert.

You are strong amidst peril.

You survive with grace day by day.

You restore hope to those in need.

And that is how she lived her life.

Outside of helping others Darleen loved spending time with family and friends. She adored each of her five grandchildren. She showed great enjoyment experiencing life with each and celebrating their individual accomplishments in sports, academics, careers, and life. She carried her competitive spirit into family board games, card games, Bunco, Mahjong, and brain games, where she enjoyed competing against her children, grandchildren, and friends in games like Wordle and Connections. One of her most treasured times of the year with family was Christmas; she really loved getting into the Christmas spirit, although she liked summer and sitting on the beach too. Most recently, her face lit up and eyes sparkled when she saw the last decorated Christmas Tree of her life.

In addition to spending time with family and friends, she enjoyed traveling, going to the beach, and shopping. She visited many beautiful and interesting places across numerous states in the US, such as Hawaii, California, Arizona, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Outside the US, she sought adventure in Canada, Mexico, Paris, France, Barcelona, Spain, England, Scotland, Ireland, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg, Holland, and Germany. Whether finding quaint shops in the US or internationally in many respects, she was a world-class shopper extraordinaire.

In all of this Darleen lived passionately and fought until the end, giving hope to others facing similar battles or those facing challenges yet to come.

Darleen is survived by her husband James A. Kessinger, sons Jeremy A. Kessinger (Betsy Kessinger) and Brandon M. Kessinger (Andrea Kessinger), grandchildren Harman A. Kessinger, Madison B. Kessinger, Jackson A. Kessinger, Sophie C. Kessinger, and Blake A. Kessinger, brothers Clyde H. Board III (Bobbie Board), Howard Board (Randi Board), and sister Patsy Smith (Willie Smith), and many nieces and nephews.

Darleen was predeceased by her father Clyde H. Board Jr., her mother Stella Wood Board, and her nephew Billy Smith.

Family and friends are welcome to attend the Celebration of Life service, which will be held at Ridout’s Southern Heritage Funeral Home and Cemetery in Pelham, Alabama on December 28, 2024, from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Central Standard Time (https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/pelham-al/darleen-kessinger-12136412#services).

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations on her behalf in support of the Angel Squad, a volunteer organization that works in conjunction with UAB Medicine Volunteer Services and is dedicated to helping patients and family live with cancer.

Sheila Smith

UAB Angel Squad Treasurer

3321 Attaloma Drive

Birmingham, AL 35216