Clarke-Stephens County GaArchives Obituaries.....Kesler, John Harrison September 2006
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Christine Crumley - Brown spida@negia.nert July 28, 2007, 3:53 pm

Madison County Journal, 21 Sep 2006
Rev. John Harrison Kesler, 91, of Winterville, died peacefully at his 
residence following an extended illness.

Born on November 17, 1914, in Stephens County, he was the son of the late Rev. 
Dennis H. and Mamie Pritchett Kesler. He was a devoted pastor of the 
Congregational Holiness Church.

He began preaching at the age of 12 and was ordained when he was 14. He was 
called the “boy preacher”. He ministered and preached in many churches located 
in Alabama, Ohio, and Georgia. During the late 1940’s he became pastor of the 
Congregational Holiness Church in Athens, where he remained faithful for 19 
years. He continued to pastor churches in Georgia until the 1980’s.

Throughout the 1950’s to the 1980’s, he owned and operated Kesler’s Produce, 
which was recognized for fresh vegetables and strawberries. His gift for 
cultivating vegetables as well as his love of the land made him well known and 
respected in his community.
In his latter years he served on the staff at Living Faith Fellowship in 
pastoral care. He also held a position at Bernstein’s Funeral Home where he 
demonstrated compassion, concern, and kindness to bereaved families.

He was known for the care and love he gave to so many people, as well as his 
unfaltering belief in Christ Jesus. He will be greatly missed, according to 
loved ones.
Survivors include his wife of 34 years, Alice Connally Lunsford Kesler; a son 
and daughter-in-law, John Harrison Kesler Jr. and Sandra Kesler, Athens; a 
daughter and son-in-law, Norma and Melvin Autry, Athens; step-son and spouse, 
Tommy and Delia Lunsford, Crawford; seven grandchildren and spouses, Cindy and 
Greg McLeroy, Clarkesville, Tammy Matbis, Gainesville, Sandra and Mitch Slay, 
Lexington, Edie and Art Davis, Ila, John H. Kesler III, Athens, Randy Kesler, 
Winterville, and David Lunsford, Colbert; nine great-grandchildren, T.J., 
Tiffany, and Gregory McLeroy, Brooke Mathis, Jennifer and Andy Minish, 
Mitchell and Dakota Slay, Christian and Taylor Davis; three great-great-
grandchildren, Cayde, Ella and Hailey Minish; six sisters and brothers-in-law, 
Ruth Hill, Ruenell and Paul Thaxton, Mary and Gene Sapp, all of Athens, Ida 
and Dwain Tyner, Colbert, Ollie and Webster Raemy, Bonnie and Chester Kenimer, 
all of Hull; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Buford and Doris Kesler, the 
Rev. Dennis Kesler Jr. and Francis, all of Athens; sister-in-law, Earlene 
Kesler, Colbert; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Rev. Kesler was preceded in death by his former wife, Edith Ruby Dilgard 
Kesler; brother, Thurmond Kesler; sister and brother-in-law, Hazel and Seab 
Pearson; and two brothers-in-law, W.P. Hill and Paul Sartain.

Funeral services were held Monday, September 11, in the chapel at Bernstein 
Funeral Home with the Revs. Dennis Kesler, Morris Sapp and Clarke Kesler 
officiating. Burial was in Evergreen Memorial Park.

Pallbearers were grandsons, John Harrison, Randy Kesler and David Lunsford; 
great-grandsons, T.J. and Gregory McLeroy; and nephew Stanley Kesler.

Bernstein Funeral Home, Athens, was in charge of arrangements.

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