Obituary of Grace C. Fessenden

Grace Fessenden (aka Virginia Grace Cardwell Hudson Fessenden) was born and raised in Smith County, Tennessee. She graduated from Smith County High School in Carthage and was a Tennessee girl for her whole life.  Grace worked for “the phone company” as a communications consultant until her retirement in 1993. She loved to sing and was proud to perform with Sweet Adelines for many years. She also dabbled in modeling and acting, even appearing (briefly) in a Darryl Worley music video. She was beautiful, confident, generous and caring.

Grace and husband David were married for 46 years and were parents to eight children, grandparents to nine, and great grandparents to three new additions to the family. She always loved time with her family. She cherished the memories of singing and eating at Young family reunions and relaxing days on Dale Hollow Lake. She and David enjoyed traveling over the years and sometimes resisted the urge to purchase property where they traveled. They lived in various homes across Tennessee. From the log cabin in Chestnut Mound to the golf-course house on Renegade Mountain (and so many others), Grace loved purchasing new homes and making them her own.

She was a member of various churches throughout her life including Belmont Heights Baptist Church, Hermitage United Methodist, and Hilham UMC. Most recently, she was a beloved part of Generations of Grace in Lebanon, where she was so proud to be the pastor’s mother. Her love for Jesus and His church was a sustaining source of joy and hope.

In her later years, Grace resided at Carrick Glen Senior Community in Mt. Juliet. While Alzheimer’s stole away her memories, it could not take away the depth of love she had for those in her life. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the staff at Carrick Glen for the love and care they showed Grace while she was there.

Grace Fessenden died on September 7, 2022 at the age of 89. She was preceded in death by parents, Henry Freeman & Norma Elizabeth Young Cardwell; and son, Bobby Hudson. Survived by husband, David Fessenden; children, Gary (Rhonda) Hudson, Patti (Jeff) Orten, Kathy (Allen) Tack, Kim (Mike) Moss, Chris (Denise) Fessenden, Craig Fessenden, and Mark Fessenden; sister, Ellen Fletcher; grandchildren, Andrew Hudson, Carly Hudson, Emily (Matt) House, Kelsey (Weston) Altic, Ryan Tack, Brandon Phelps, Matt Fessenden, Hannah (Tom) Haarlander and Mattie Fessenden; great-grandchildren, Alaina Altic, Easton Altic and Henry Kai Haarlander; and a host of family and friends who will all miss her dearly.

Funeral service will be held Sunday, September 11^th at 4 pm at Sellars Funeral Home at Mt. Juliet with Bro. Jerry Young officiating. Visitation with the family will be Sunday, September 11^th from 2 pm until time of service.

Donations may be made to Generations of Grace – community fund (www.Generations.church) in lieu of flowers.

Arrangements by Sellars Funeral Home at Mt. Juliet, 2229 N. Mt. Juliet Road, Mt. Juliet, TN 37122, 615-758-5459, obituary line 615-758-8818, www.sellarsfuneralservices.com