Peggy Wadham's Obituary
Peggy June Morris Wadham. Born in Princeton, West Virginia, on June 22, 1929, passed away on December 3, 2025. She was the eldest child of Katherine and Charles “Punk” Morris and sister to her beloved brother, Ronnie Morris and his wife Gay Morris.
Peggy’s love of music was evident throughout her youth. During her high school years, she was an active singer and performer, often lending her voice to weddings and community stage productions in Princeton. In 1950, she married Ervin Kessinger, also of Princeton. Together they had two sons: Phillip, who tragically passed away at age four, and her surviving son, Michael Kessinger of Clearwater, Florida. Peggy remarried in 1968 to Lieutenant Colonel Lester Wadham, with whom she shared many joyful years until his passing on December 2, 1982.
She is survived by her son Mike; two granddaughters, Kelly Kessinger of Savannah, Georgia, and Heidi Mullaney of Largo, Florida; and five great-grandchildren: Kylan Kessinger, Sebastian Mullaney, Holton Mullaney, Ayden Griffin, and Makayla Griffin. She is also lovingly remembered by daughters-in-law Cindy Keene and Jan Kessinger, honorary son-in-law John Keene, along with many nieces, nephews, and extended family members.
A lifelong Christian, Peggy will be laid to rest in her hometown of Princeton, among the hills of West Virginia that she held so dear, alongside her husband, parents, and loved ones. Peggy moved to Pinellas County in 1962 and later became a longtime resident of both Treasure Island and Pinellas Park, where she lived for 20 and 30 years respectively. She especially enjoyed spending time with friends at the American Legion and with family and friends.
Peggy will be remembered for her grace, her loyalty, her support, her deep love for family, and her unwavering faith. Known for her humor and her love of catchy rhymes and sayings, Peggy also inherited — and perfected — the family’s iconic final last word: “Whatever.” She will be missed by many who love her so dearly, "like a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck".
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