Kelsey Rae Paton
Beloved daughter, granddaughter, sister, friend. 2009 Western Branch High School graduate. Former Tidewater Community College and Culinary Institute of Virginia student. AmeriCorps volunteer. Restaurant manager. Artist. Music lover. Theater Fan. Social justice warrior. Beach Bum. Ray of sunshine. Force of nature. Lover of life.
Missing her dearly are her parents, Kathy and Billy Paton; her sister and best friend, Erin Paton; and all of her beloved family and friends.
Waiting for Kelsey are her paternal grandparents, Robert and Carol Paton; maternal grandparents, Thurman Barnes and Kelsey’s cherished grandmother, Grandma Lillie Barnes; uncle, Marvin G. Barnes Sr.; and aunt, Nina Hopewell Barnes Lodge, with whom she shared an enthusiastic love of art and cats.
If you were fortunate enough to have known Kelsey, you know her compassion; strength; stubbornness; talent; creativity; her love of all animals, especially her cat, Pearl; her green thumb (thanks to her mom); her laugh; her beauty and brains; her love of family and friends; and her fierce ability to love you back.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Please check www.FamilyChoiceFunerals.com and her family’s social media sites for the details as they are made available. Please send any memories, pictures, and videos to the email address snapshotsofkelsey@gmail.com to share with the family.
Donations in Kelsey’s name can be made to:
1. Actorsfund.org
2. FairFight.com
3. ruffroadpetrescue@gmail.com (Venmo, PayPal, or a check can be mailed or delivered to 5709 Churchland Blvd. Suite A, Portsmouth, VA 23703
And as Kelsey would say, “You do you, Boo Boo”!
You can also share your condolences with the family via the “Memory Wall” tab.
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Kelsey was in my very favorite home room. She signed the entire front cover of my yearbook. She wrote something that made me laugh out loud as I read it earlier this week. I love Kelsey, and I know she loved me because she wrote it in my yearbook. I was lucky enough to teach both Erin and Kelsey, and to be friends with their parents. I will miss you forever, Kelsey. ❤️ Love, Mrs. D
You were responsible for me taking a commitment to AmeriCorps seriously, and it changed the rest of my life. There are countless things I’d love to share about you – but I’ll save them for our family. I just miss you. You always stood up for Nina when me and her would get into arguments, and you loved her so much. We loved you too. I wish we could have made those oreo cheese ball things at least one more time.
These pictures aren’t too clear because they’re snapshots I took from the yearbook when Kelsey was in 7th grade. Clay, I’m sorry I had to edit you out of one or I couldn’t get Kelsey in it.
This is a screenshot of a picture of my homeroom when I had Kelsey. It’s from a scrapbook made by her mom, Kathy, which was a retirement gift for me.
Always had a smile..from a little girl to an adult..will never forget her pretty smile.
You always lit up the room
The brightest light in life was my Kels. Gone way too soon. Anytime I play Dixie Chicks or LeAnn Rimes I will think of you and cry- happy and sad tears. Happy for our memories, sadness because memories is all we have left. You are so loved and touched so many hearts. Please everyone, keep her family in your prayers- and anytime you see a beautiful flower or plant, know that’s Kelsey.
My heartfelt condolence to Billy, Kathy,and Big sis, Erin with all of Kelsey’s dear friends. Holding her up in the light where she will certainly be shining, oh SO bright. Gone way too soon. Tx.sized HUGS and LOVE
This hurts my heart to see this. I am so very sorry for your loss and everything your are going through. My heartfelt sympathy to Kelsey herself, her family and friends.
Sincerely, Tanya West
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