Tessabelle C. Kirkwood

At 12:20 PM, Thursday, October 23, 2014, the Lord called home Tessabelle C. Kirkwood at Lexington House in Alexandria, Louisiana. Tess was formerly of Crooksville, Ohio.

She was born October 3, 1917 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the daughter of the late Joseph E. and Hazel V. (Taylor) Niebel. She married Russell P. Kirkwood in 1944 and enjoyed 55 years of marriage before Russell's passing July 23, 1999.

Tess is survived by her three children; son, James P. Kirkwood (wife, Linda) of Elmer, Louisiana; daughter, Connie S. Russell (husband, Gene) of Otis, Louisiana and son, Robert B. Kirkwood (wife, Melody) of Roseville, Ohio. She had eight grandchildren, eighteen great- grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren.

Tess was a member of Maple Avenue Christian Church in Crooksville where she worshipped and, along with her best-friend, Mary Alice, loved to greet the people as they entered the sanctuary. She was one of the original members of the Coffee Cup Bible Study group, which she hosted and lead many times through the years. Tess was an avid reader and recorded by title and author that she read over 1,000 books. She loved words. She always had a word of the day and centered her Bible studies on that word from scripture. Tess loved to sew, knit, crochet and make crafts. She also loved to paint. Her art work included oils, watercolors and charcoal canvases. To her delight, she sold some of her work but mostly gave them to friends and family. In her late 80's, she took piano lessons from her neighbor and wrote wonderful praise songs and prayers and put them to music. She loved the computer and loved to learn anything new. But most of all she loved the Lord and would tell others, "You're never too old to learn or serve God." "Even to your old age and gray hairs, I am He who will sustain you and will rescue you." Isaiah 46:4

Family and friends will be received 4:00 - 8:00 PM, Monday, October 27 at GOEBEL FUNERAL HOME, 36 N. BUCKEYE ST., CROOKSVILLE, OHIO. Funeral services and a celebration of Tess's life will be at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, October 28 at the funeral home with Pastor Carolyn Hoskinson officiating. Burial will follow next to her beloved husband in Jerusalem Cemetery, Deavertown.

You may read the obituary, sign the Online Register Book (Memory Wall) and share a special memory with the family at www.goebelfuneralhome.com