Verel Ward Kesler

d. February 10, 2012

NASHVILLE- Verel Jeanette Ward Kesler, age 92, died February 10, 2012 at her home, The St. Paul Senior Living Community in Nashville, TN.She was born February 9, 1920 in Randolph County, NC, the youngest of four children of Lou (Nixon) and Ross Ward. She is survived by her husband Frederick Donald Kesler and her sister Lucille Ward Jenkins of Asheboro, NC.Mrs. Kesler was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Edna Marie Ward, her brother Benjamin Joseph Ward, son-in-law John Ward Hollifield, III, her nephews Robert Lynn Sutton and Philip Joseph Sutton and her niece Geraldine Miller Fluharty.
On August 20, 1942 she married Don Kesler of Griffin, GA.Their children are Lou Ross Penland, husband Robert Tideman Penland, Sr., of Texarkana, TX and Phyllis Hollifield Avant, husband Dr. George Ray Avant, of Nashville. Grandchildren are: Lieutenant Colonel Robert Tideman Penland, Jr., wife Nicole; Elizabeth Ross Penland McFarland, husband Lieutenant Colonel Jason; Frederick Joseph Ward Penland, wife Stephanie; Catharine Lynn Hollifield; Phillip Walker Avant, wife Joanna; and Charlotte Brooks Avant.Great grandchildren are: Eliana Victoria Ross Penland; Joseph Parker, Isabella Ross, and SarahScott McFarland; Anna Leigh and Cole Hovis Penland; Elise Charlotte and Brooks Douglas Avant.Mrs. Kesler had special relationships with her many nephews and nieces: Benjamin Plato Jenkins, Jr., wife Marianne; Colonel Benjamen Parker Miller, III, wife Elizabeth; Walter Durward Kesler; wife Susan; Bonnie Kesler Tanner; Nancy Webb Sutton and Carolyn Nunn Sutton.
Mrs. Kesler was a graduate of High Point University and worked in the presidents office where she met her future husband.After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Kesler relocated to Henderson, NC, where they spent 51 happy years. There she was a member of First Baptist Church, Sans Souci Book Club and Colonial Garden Club and worked as an administrative assistant for St. Gobain Glass.
In 2001, desiring to be nearer to family, the Keslers moved to Nashville where they were affiliate members of Blakemore United Methodist Church. She was also a member of the Lebanon Road Garden Club and helped establish a fund for Rachels Garden at the home of President Andrew Jackson.
Mrs. Kesler was a wife and mother who extended her arms of nurturing and mentoring, not only to her family and friends, but also to all who crossed her path.She was supportive without judgment, loving without seeking reward, and diplomatic in her personal relationships. She was a peacemaker personified, and the world is a better place because of the life she lived.
The family wishes to thank Terra Bedell, Erica Jackson, April Walker, and Calvin Huddleston for their loving, intuitive, and reliable care giving. Appreciation is also extended for the excellent and compassionate care delivered by the physicians and staff of Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Odyssey Hospice Care is to be commended for their response to our concerns.
Two services will be held for Mrs. Kesler, the funeral will be in Henderson, NC at the First Baptist Church on Saturday February 18 at one oclock in the afternoon with visitation to follow. The Nashville memorial service will be held in the Chapel of West End United Methodist Church on Saturday, February 25 at one oclock in the afternoon with visitation to follow. Honorary pallbearers will be her grandchildren, nieces, nephews and members of the Lebanon Road Garden Club.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to: First Baptist Church 205 West WinderStreet Henderson, NC 27536;Rachels Garden Fund The Hermitage, Home of President Andrew Jackson
4580 Rachels Lane, Hermitage, TN 37076; Blakemore United Methodist Church, 3601 West End Avenue, Nashville, TN 37205;West End United Methodist Church, 2200 West End Avenue, Nashville, TN 37203.

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Verel Ward Kesler

d. February 10, 2012

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