Judith Belle Love Kenesson, 67, of Woodville, Texas, died peacefully in Houston, Texas on July 29, 2011. Judy grew up in Del Rio, Texas, where she enjoyed a wonderful childhood surrounded by a loving family and many friends. Following her graduation from Del Rio High School, she enrolled at Southwestern University at Georgetown, Texas. Active in student affairs at Southwestern, Judy was a member of the Honor Council, the Student Senate, and President of Delta Delta Delta sorority. Her senior year she was nominated by the faculty and elected by the students Miss Southwestern. Upon graduation, Judy taught fifth grade in Houston. She was immediately recognized for her teaching skills, as the district reading supervisor selected her to direct workshops to instruct other beginning teachers in the school district. She married Huntley Kenesson in 1966, and they moved to Lake Jackson, Texas in 1970, where they began rearing their three children, Jay, Jenna and Laura. In Lake Jackson, Judy was active with other mothers in founding and directing a mother’s cooperative pre-school. She began graduate work at the University of Houston at Clear Lake City and received her master's degree in library science.
The Kenesson family moved to Woodville in 1980, and Judy became librarian at Colmesneil schools in 1986. She later was named Director of Library Services for the Woodville School District where she served until her retirement in 2006.
Judy was a member of the Woodville United Methodist Church where she served in numerous capacities, including the Chancel Choir, Joyful Ringers Bell Choir, chairperson of the scholarship committee, chairperson of the wedding committee, and coordinator of youth activities. She was a founder of the Tyler County Texas A&M University Mothers' Club and was named its first president. She was also a past president of the Women's Reading Club, on the boards of the Tyler County Heritage Society and the Tyler County Historical Commission, and was secretary of the Allan Shivers Library Endowment Board.
Diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2000, she declared war on this dreaded disease. One of her methods of attack was to help organize the Tyler County Relay for Life for the American Cancer Society. She served as survivors' chairperson until 2010.
Judy is preceded in death by her parents, Wayne and Josephine Love. She is survived by her husband, Huntley Kenesson; son, Jay Kenesson, and wife, Elizabeth; daughters, Jenna Love Arnold, and husband, Chad, and Laura Joanna Jackson, and husband, Reeve; grandchildren, Claire Elizabeth Kenesson, James Huntley Kenesson, and Jack Andrew Arnold; sister, Joanna Love Rose; and numerous other family members and friends.
Judy's memorial service was held at the Woodville United Methodist Church on Monday, August 1, 2011, at 2 p.m. with Pastors Doretta Fortenberry and Bryan Harkness officiating.
Memorials in Judy's honor may be directed to the American Cancer Society, c/o Tyler County Relay for Life, P.O. Box 252 , Woodville , Texas , 75979 , or a charity of choice.