Eva Kay Kessinger Cardea, 82, of Charleston, died on Sunday, October 22, 2023, at the Ridgemont assisted living facility at Edgewood Summit.  The only child of the late Arnold (“Kess”) and Eva Moye Kessinger of Beckley, she grew up visiting relatives in Camp Creek and Spanishburg in Mercer County in a family of teachers and farmers.

Mrs. Cardea was an inspirational teacher of English and Speech at Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley, and for 30 years, teacher and chair of the English Department of West Virginia Institute of Technology in Montgomery.  Her department included English composition and literature, foreign languages, drama, musical theater, and debate. In summers she organized federal remedial programs for non-traditional students.  She also organized off campus classes for Job Corps and CAMC Memorial Hospital in Charleston.

A 1962 graduate of Concord College, she earned an MA degree from West Virginia University in 1965.

In 1975 she married Harry B. Cardea of Charleston and Welch. They enjoyed sports, travel, and volunteer work until his death in 2009.  The couple held season tickets for Marshall University and WVU basketball and football home games, and attended all bowl games for both teams.  They also spent spring training season in Sarasota, FL, and attended Cincinnati Reds practice games there as well as the annual jazz festival week.  The couple flew to Portland, OR, for all the Four Freshmen annual concerts and enjoyed dance cruises on the Caribbean Sea.  Their travel covered adventures from the Greek Isles to Alaska among others.

The couple’s volunteer work included Meals on Wheels, bell ringing at Christmas for the Salvation Army, poll working on election days, and participation in the Sons of Italy and the Charleston Area Elks Club events.

After her husband died, Mrs. Cardea continued her work for the WV Republican Women and the Charleston Woman’s Club. She supported the Appalachian Children’s Choir, the Light Opera Guild, Kanawha Players, the WV Historical Society, and the musical arts productions at Capitol High School.  As a volunteer, she worked for 12 years at the Consignment Shop where customers still look for her energetic personality.

Visitation will be held from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm, Thursday, October 26 at Snodgrass Funeral Home, South Charleston followed by a gathering and sharing of memories at 2:30 pm for those wishing to attend the committal in Sunset Memorial Park Mausoleum on Harper Road in Beckley.

Memorial gifts may be sent to the Charleston Woman’s Club, 1600 Virginia St. E, Charleston, WV 25311.

Online condolences and memories may be shared by visiting www.snodgrassfuneral.com and selecting the obituary.