Martha Loretta Bedell Kessell

Mrs. Martha Loretta Bedell Kessell, 99, of Winston-Salem died Sunday, January 4, 2009 at Forsyth Medical Center. She was born September 6, 1909 in Ransome, PA, the daughter of the late Arthur Manuel and Pearl Loretta Bedell. Mrs. Kessell was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church where she was a member of The Women's Christian Society. She was also a member of the Order of Eastern Star Rebekah's Chapter #316. She was a graduate of Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn, NY and was a Lieutenant with the U. S. Army and a Nurse Anesthetist at 369th Station Hospital in Sarpan during World War II. She was a Nurse Anesthetist at City Memorial Hospital and was the first Nurse Anesthetist at Forsyth Memorial Hospital retiring in 1969. Survivors include her husband, Nelson W. Kessell of the home; one daughter, Donna K. Byrd and husband, Thomas of Terrell; one son, William D. Kessell of Swanton, OH; and two grandsons, Brian Byrd of Clemmons and Brandon Byrd of Bowling Green, OH. The funeral service will be conducted Wednesday at 2:00 PM at Centenary United Methodist Church with Rev. Jack Yarbrough officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 1:45 PM prior to the service in the church parlor. Burial will follow in Forsyth Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to Centenary United Methodist Church, 646 West 5TH Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101.

Memorials:
Centenary United Methodist Church, 646 West 5th Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101.

Cemetery:
Forsyth Memorial Park

Visitation:
01:00pm - 01:45pm on January 7, 2009 at Centenary United Methodist Church

Service:
Service at 02:00pm on January 7, 2009 at Centenary United Methodist Church