Erie Mae Kesler

Erie was born to the union of Paul and Arbelia (Obelia) Stiggers Sr, the 4th of fourteen children.

She accepted Christ at an early age at the First Baptist Church of Lincoln Heights. She excelled in education being promoted from the 6th grade to the 9’th grade. She received a certificate in Culinary Arts from Stowe School.

In 1956, she married Herbert Luther Kesler Sr. and from that union was born Tina Maria Kesler, Herbert Luther Kesler Jr. (Tiffany Renee), Donna Jean McDonald (Jessie Lee), Victor Kesler Sr., Vickie Kesler, Juliaette Kesler of Columbus Ohio, and a stepdaughter, Gwendolyn Smith.

Not only was she a beloved mother to her family, but she was also a beloved mother in the church as well. She was affectionately known as Mother Kesler, lead servant of the Women’s Board, church clerk and chairperson of numerous fundraisers. She also enjoyed social groups where she was a faithful member of the “Pokeno Club” and “Brothahs and Sistahs Still Rising Book Club.” She had a warm heart for people in need and opened her home to many who needed shelter.

God gifted mom with many talents including interior and fashion design. She designed and made many clothing items for her family and friends. Her gift in interior design, led her to even create a fish aquarium out of an old floor model tv and she always beautifully decorated her home. She also enjoyed playing bingo, reading, playing cards, horse races, gathering with family and friends and cooking. Her cooking and recipes were amazing! They were loved by many. She would always transform her dining tables into dinner tables that looked as though they should be in a magazine. She made the best peach cobbler and barbeque sauce ever!

She had nine siblings preceding her in death and is survived by four brothers: Paul Stiggers Jr., James Edward Stiggers, Nathaniel Stiggers Sr. and Anthony Ray Stiggers, 15 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, 1 great great grandchild, and special nieces Pauline and Arletta Edwards, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

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