On October 24, 1942, Faye married the late Millard Melton Kesterson, Jr. who preceded her in death on October 10, 1983.
Faye attended Briarpatch School before graduating from Cottage Grove High School in 1942. In 1963, she and her husband co-founded Kesterson Food Company. After a series of moves with her husband’s job, Mrs. Kesterson was instrumental in co-founding Kesterson Food Company with her husband. This allowed them to move their family back to their hometown, as they built a company that not only supported their family for two generations but employed many in their community. Mr. Kesterson was known to say that he couldn’t have started the company without the love, dedication, devotion, and hard work of his wife. They were a true team. She was the longest-living member of First Baptist Church in Paris. Faye also served as a former trustee of Union University and was formerly a member of the Paris Quota Club.
She is survived by her four children, Susan (Kerry) Bell of Paris, TN, Cindy Knott of Buchanan, TN, Tommy (Sally) Kesterson of Paris, TN, and Danny Kesterson of Dover, TN; 10 grandchildren, Paul (Stacey) Kesterson, Jason (Hedy) Kesterson, Kelly (Todd) Henson, Molly Gallimore, Jennifer (Jodie) Orr, Jonathan (Paula) Bell, B.J. (Melinda) Knott, Josh (Amy) Knott, Julie (David) Boyd, and Lauren (John) Wilkins; 22 great grandchildren, Abigail (Alex) Selwitz, Megan Kesterson, Katie Henson, Kyle Henson, Joshua (Alex) Gallimore, Jacob (Caley) Gallimore, Nicholas Kesterson, Violet Kesterson, Griffin Orr, Emma Orr, Brianna Knott, Connor Knott, Chloe Knott, Jessica Knott, Rachel Knott, Jon Carter Bell, Katie Bell, David Boyd III, Aila Boyd, Claire Wilkins, Hadley Wilkins, and Millie Jane Wilkins; five great-great grandchildren, Naomi Selwitz, Jaxon Henson, Daniel Gallimore, Ensley Sue Gallimore, and Oaklee Knott; two special nephews, Johnny (Kathy) Petrie, and Jimmy (Judy) Davis; one special niece, Judy Pruitt; and several other nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband and her parents, Faye was preceded in death by one son-in-law, Jerry L. Knott; one sister, Francis Pauline Davis Petrie; and two brothers, Vernon Davis, and Thomas Elbert Davis.
Ridgeway Funeral Home, 201 Dunlap Street, Paris, TN, 38242, is handling the arrangements. Visitation will be Friday, June 20, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Ridgeway Funeral Home. A Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, June 20, 2025, with Todd Henson and Trent Bullock officiating.
Burial will follow the service at Hillcrest Memorial Park with Faye’s grandsons serving as pallbearers.
Memorials may be to First Baptist Church- Paris, 313 N. Poplar St., Paris, TN 38242; or Henry County Helping Hand, PO Box 22, Paris, TN, 38242.