of Conway, AR

June 10, 1931 - September 14, 2023

Marie May Jenkins Kesler went to be with her heavenly Lord on Thursday, September 14, 2023 at the age of 92. She was born on June 10, 1931 to Eunice and Everett Jenkins in Olney, Illinois. She was the second of three children, having an older sister, Jane and younger brother, Jim; Marie often told stories of her peacekeeper role.

Marie graduated from East Richland High School in 1949 and was voted by her senior class as most athletic girl. Following graduation, she attended the Decatur Macon County Hospital School of Nursing. Upon finishing this program she began working at Weber Medical Clinic as a Registered Nurse and followed in her mother's footsteps.

On November 14, 1953 she married Charles David Kesler, also of Olney. Although they were in the same class they did not date until after graduation. They had two children, David Lee and Cynthia Marie. Marie poured her heart into her children and was a wonderful mother. She loved nothing more than watching and supporting them in their various activities. Marie was known to frequently feed groups of her kids' friends at lunch or before sporting events. Everyone learned you could not leave until a picture was taken.

Marie was a member of First Church of Olney until July 2009, when she and Chuck moved to Conway, Arkansas and transferred their membership to First Presbyterian Church in Conway. She served as a Deacon and could often be found helping serve church dinners and cleaning up in the kitchen. Marie believed in helping others and being selfless and served her communities in various organizations. She was a Hospice volunteer for many years in both Olney and Conway. She was also a member of Richland Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, American Legion Auxiliary, Decatur Memorial Hospital Alumni Association, P.E.O., American Cancer Society Smoke-out Chairman, Red Hat Society and many more. Marie loved supporting all the local sports teams even when her children had already graduated, going to Olney Tiger Basketball games, UCA Sugar Bear basketball and volleyball games every chance they had. She also loved participating in all the social activities during their 12 years of living at College Square.

Marie was loved by many and will be missed greatly by those she left behind including her husband, Chuck; son, David and his wife, Jennifer; daughter, Cendey Roberts and husband, Coy. Her three grandchildren, whom she loved and adored, Kesler Lauren (Roberts) Manning and husband, Emmett, Carson Coy Roberts and Elena Grace Kesler. She had one great grandchild that filled her last 20 months with joy, laughter and smiles, Parker Emmett Manning. Also surviving is sister-in-law, Carol Jenkins, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins that she loved like her own.

Marie is now reunited in heaven with those who went before; her parents, Eunice and Everett Jenkins; sister and brother-in-law, Jane and Jack Berry; brother, Jim Jenkins; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Elsworth Kesler and Phyllis Kesler Porter and niece, Brenda Jenkins Wheeler.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to a Hospice Organization of your choice, First Church of Olney, First Presbyterian Church of Conway or any other deserving cause or organization.

As it has been since 1950, Marie and Chuck did everything together, so it will be the same for their celebration of life. The ceremony to celebrate them will take place on a date in the future only God knows.

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