Estelle Irene Kersey

Estelle Irene Kersey of Hampton, VA, received her heavenly wings on Monday, March 20, 2023. She was a strong-willed, spirited little lady whom the church affectionally called "the Diva". Estelle Irene Kersey, also known as "Irene", was born November 16, 1936, in Isle of Wight County. Her late parents, Katherine Joyner Taylor and Andrew R. Taylor, Sr. raised her in love and in the Christian faith. She was the second oldest of nine children, and was proceeded in death by three siblings: Elder Andrew R. Taylor II, Velma Ann Smith, and Jacqueline Delores Taylor.

Estelle Irene Kersey attended (Warwick County) Newport News Public schools and graduated from George Washington Carver High School.

Irene was married to her dearly departed husband, Deacon Raymond Kersey, for 59 years. They had no children within their union, but in later years, she often referred to her devoted nephew, Eric, as the "son she never had"

Although she lived the majority of her life in Hampton, Va, where she purchased her 1st home at the age of 21, she traveled the country as a military wife and has lived in many states including Oklahoma, California, and Hawaii. She retired from Ames Cleaners after 20 years of service as a professional cleaning technician.

Irene loved her Emmanuel Chapel Church family and absolutely adored Pastor Chris Morant who served her and the congregation in both the spiritual and the natural. She was a faithful member of Emmanuel Chapel Church of Christ for over 22 years where she served within the Women's Ministry, and most notably, as President of the choir for many of those years. She was a great singer and loved to sing worship songs, hymns, and negro spirituals. Her favorites were 'Because He Lives', 'Because of Who You Are', 'I Love to Praise Him', and 'Go Down Moses'. During the pandemic, she would chuckle and say, "I know Pastor Morant is gonna call me and say, "Now Sis Kersey...I want you to sing a solo on the Prayer call tonight." Sure enough, as if she could sense it in the spirit, Pastor Morant would call wanting her to sing. She would act so surprised and perplexed knowing all along what song she had already planned to sing and sing it she did!

Irene was an avid shopper and loved to dress up from head to toe. She believed in looking her best wherever she went. She was also an excellent cook and enjoyed hosting the family and her friends for the holidays (and other celebrations) where she would prepare delicious meals. She loved her family and could tell you many things about the family's history and lineage. She loved her puzzle book, mainly crossword puzzles and fill-in puzzles. She was also an avid reader of novels and could read an entire novel in a day or two.

She was independent the vast majority of her life, but began to realize over time that her body wouldn't let her do everything to the extent that she had before. She had to slow down a little and take a step-by-step approach to life's tasks.

She leaves to cherish her memories her sister: Prophetess Girlie Gates - Chicago, IL, her brothers Elder Leon Taylor (Fannie) - Roanoke, VA, Elder Ernest Taylor (Patricia) - Newport News, VA, Melvin Taylor (Cindy) - San Antonio, TX, Edward Taylor (Dorleen)- Lanham, MD, her nephew Eric Taylor (Angela) - Hampton, VA, her Emmanuel Chapel COCHUSA family, and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

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