Madison Taylor Wessells

Madison Taylor Wessells, 21, of Nelsonia, VA, passed away Monday, September 13, 2021 at Centra Southside Hospital in Farmville, VA. Left to cherish her memory are her loving parents, Virgil Lee Wessells III and Ann Bell Wessells of Nelsonia; sister, Delaney Rush Wessells; maternal grandparents, Holland and Janet Bell; paternal grandmother, Reny Taylor; uncle, H. Trower Bell, Jr. and his wife, Tia; aunts, Jenee Taylor and Renee Wessells; numerous cousins; and her fiancé, Kendle Smith.

Madison was born February 15, 2000 in Nassawadox, VA and grew up in her small, close-knit community with family and good friends. She graduated from Broadwater Academy, class of 2018, and recently began her junior year in the nursing program at the Honors College of Longwood University. In addition to being on the Dean’s list, Madison was vice president of Phi Sigma Pi-Eta Iota Chapter, served as a nurse extern at Chippenham & Johnston-Willis Hospital, and was a former medical tech at VCU Medical Center Hospital. In 2018, she was presented with the Girl Scout Gold Award for her construction of the K-9 training obstacles for the Accomack and Northampton County Sheriff’s Offices Course in Melfa, VA.  Madison loved her Eastern Shore community and proudly volunteered as an EMT with the Parksley Volunteer Fire Company, easily recognized by her license plate “ST7 EMT.”

She attended Modest Town Baptist Church and looked forward to Sunday service with her family when home from school. Madison was a devoted and loving ‘big sister’ to Delaney.  It was her little sister’s health journey that ultimately led Madison to dedicate her nursing career to pediatrics.  She loved her dogs, especially her beagle Maci, and enjoyed taking her mixed breed Beany on trips for chicken nuggets. In her 21 years, Madison Taylor Wessells made more of a positive impact than most make in a lifetime.  She was a true public servant, whose beautiful heart touched the lives of countless people, all of whom will be forever blessed having known her.

In announcing Madison’s death to the Longwood community, the President of the University shared in part the following:  “Madison worked as an EMT, and hoped to move back to the Eastern Shore after graduation to help her home community, especially those without access to health care, often saying her goal in life was to ‘help people on their worst day.’  She was known as a curious student who welcomed challenging academic discussions, a deep thinker, and someone who lived to serve others…. The nursing profession has lost a great light.”

Funeral services with fireman honors, will be conducted from the graveside at the Modest Town Baptist Church Cemetery on Saturday, September 18, 2021 at 3:00 p.m., with The Reverend John Cullop officiating, assisted by the Parksley Volunteer Fire Company.

Flowers will be accepted, or memorial contributions may be made to the Parksley Volunteer Fire Company, P.O. Box 14, Parksley, VA 23421 or to the Eastern Shore S.P.C.A., P.O. Box 164, Onley, VA 23418.

Memory tributes may be shared with the family at www.williamsfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements by the Williams-Parksley Funeral Home.

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