Tessa Valentina BeDell

Tessa Valentina BeDell, 15, of Davidson, NC transitioned from this life to the next on Tuesday, June 23, 2015. She was born March 25, 2000 in Velikiye Luki, Russia and joined her family in Cornelius, NC in December 2001. Tessa was a rising sophomore at Community School of Davidson. Everyone who knew her was captivated by her smile, loving nature and her ability to connect with people. She gave the best hugs in the world. Tessa was a world traveler, and she easily made friends everywhere she went. She was an avid lover of volleyball, sailing and recently completed the Young Elites Leadership Program where she was awarded the Tenacity award, the perfect award for her. Tessa's greatest joy was family and community and her biggest gift was bringing people from different cultures and communities together. She will be immensely missed by her family and friends throughout the world. Tessa is the daughter of Carla and Dan BeDell and the sister of Tristan BeDell all of Davidson, NC. Grandparents: James V. Gray - Bourbonnais, Il, Lois I. Gray (deceased), Donna BeDell (deceased), Donald (spouse, Marlene) BeDell - St. Anne, Il, Aunts and Uncles: Linda (spouse, Jerry) Bartusch - Lincolnton, NC, Janet (spouse, Roger) Cast - Manteno, Il, Judy (spouse, Gary) Kolesar - Manteno, Il, Dale (spouse, Patricia) Gray - Clifton, IL, Joyce Timmerman - Pontiac, Il, Carol (spouse, Steve) Kolesar - Manteno, Daryl (spouse, Debie) BeDell - Bourbonnais, Il, Dawn BeDell - Bradley, Il, Darby (spouse, Ronald) Thomas - Bradley, Il, along with many cousins. Please join the BeDell family in a celebration of life ceremony for Tessa with a community gathering on June 28th from 4-5 pm followed by a memorial service 5-6 pm. Services will be held at Raymer-Kepner Funeral Home, 16901 Old Statesville Rd., Huntersville, NC 28078 Donations can be made to the family to create a student scholarship for international travel in Tessa BeDell's name. Friends may offer condolences to the family at www.raymerfh.com.