Dee Caperton
Encyclopedia
Ella Dee Kessel Caperton (1943-2000) was a First Lady of West Virginia
and Miss West Virginia
. She was the ex-wife of former West Virginia Gov. Gaston Caperton
, and the daughter of former Jackson County Circuit Court Judge and West Virginia Supreme Court Justice Oliver Kessel.
A Ripley, West Virginia
native, she held a degree in music from West Virginia University
, a master's degree in education from the West Virginia College of Graduate Studies, and a Doctorate in Education from the University of Pittsburgh
. She was Miss West Virginia
1964 and the second runner up in the Miss America
pageant. She married Caperton in 1965. Two sons were born of the marriage, W.G. (Gat) Caperton, and John Kessel Caperton.
After working as an interior decorator, studying classical music, and learning how to fly an airplane, in 1986 Kessel Caperton was elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates
for a two year term. She did not seek reelection in 1988, in order to campaign statewide for Caperton's campaign for governor. After becoming First Lady
in 1989, she became the first First Lady of West Virginia to have her own office in the State Capitol. As First Lady she focused on education, children and women's issues.
After divorcing Caperton in 1990, she created national headlines when she announced her candidacy for State Treasurer of West Virginia that year. After losing the Treasurer's race, she moved to France
, where she operated a small hotel in Saint-Remy. She died in France on September 1, 2000.
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
and Miss West Virginia
Miss West Virginia
The Miss West Virginia competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of West Virginia in the Miss America pageant.- Winners :- External links :*...
. She was the ex-wife of former West Virginia Gov. Gaston Caperton
Gaston Caperton
William Gaston Caperton III was the 31st Governor of the U.S. state of West Virginia from 1989 until 1997. He is currently the president of the College Board, which administers the nationally recognized SAT and AP tests. Caperton announced his intention to step down as president of the College...
, and the daughter of former Jackson County Circuit Court Judge and West Virginia Supreme Court Justice Oliver Kessel.
A Ripley, West Virginia
Ripley, West Virginia
Ripley is a city in and the county seat of Jackson County, West Virginia, United States.-Geography:Ripley is located at , along Mill Creek....
native, she held a degree in music from West Virginia University
West Virginia University
West Virginia University is a public research university in Morgantown, West Virginia, USA. Other campuses include: West Virginia University at Parkersburg in Parkersburg; West Virginia University Institute of Technology in Montgomery; Potomac State College of West Virginia University in Keyser;...
, a master's degree in education from the West Virginia College of Graduate Studies, and a Doctorate in Education from the University of Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
. She was Miss West Virginia
Miss West Virginia
The Miss West Virginia competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of West Virginia in the Miss America pageant.- Winners :- External links :*...
1964 and the second runner up in the Miss America
Miss America
The Miss America pageant is a long-standing competition which awards scholarships to young women from the 50 states plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands...
pageant. She married Caperton in 1965. Two sons were born of the marriage, W.G. (Gat) Caperton, and John Kessel Caperton.
After working as an interior decorator, studying classical music, and learning how to fly an airplane, in 1986 Kessel Caperton was elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates
West Virginia House of Delegates
The West Virginia House of Delegates is the lower house of the West Virginia Legislature. Only three states—Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia—refer to their lower house as the House of Delegates.-Historical:-Current:-District organization:...
for a two year term. She did not seek reelection in 1988, in order to campaign statewide for Caperton's campaign for governor. After becoming First Lady
First Lady
First Lady or First Gentlemanis the unofficial title used in some countries for the spouse of an elected head of state.It is not normally used to refer to the spouse or partner of a prime minister; the husband or wife of the British Prime Minister is usually informally referred to as prime...
in 1989, she became the first First Lady of West Virginia to have her own office in the State Capitol. As First Lady she focused on education, children and women's issues.
After divorcing Caperton in 1990, she created national headlines when she announced her candidacy for State Treasurer of West Virginia that year. After losing the Treasurer's race, she moved to France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, where she operated a small hotel in Saint-Remy. She died in France on September 1, 2000.