Donna Faye Kessler

Donna Faye Wiley was born in Harper, Kansas on June 18, 1929 to Gilbert and Ellen Wiley. She grew up in Harper along with her two sisters, Margaret and Lois. She was a member of the Church of Christ. At 5’1” Donna Faye left a big mark on her hometown. During her 50th High School reunion it was said that she had been the most ornery person in the school, surely in the best possible sense. Donna Faye had a gift for pranking.

Donna Faye married Dennis Kessler on September 4, 1954—a day so hot that the wedding candles in the church melted before they could light them. As newlyweds, the Kesslers lived in Amarillo, Texas and were active in the Amarillo Bible Training Work, grounding their marriage and home in the service of the Lord’s kingdom.

The Kesslers moved to Wichita, Kansas, where they lived for 25 years, raising their four children. Called into congregational ministry, they moved to Shreveport, Louisiana, where they lived for many years. Donna Faye was a devoted mother and an avid homemaker. She was skilled at sewing and gardening and cooking. She loved the Lord and the church and was noted for her hospitality and her encouragement of others. She loved spending time with family, singing, and she always wore a smile. She had a special knack for putting a smile on everyone else’s face too.

Donna Faye lived briefly in Kountze, Texas before moving to Pearland, where she passed from this life on August 29, 2016 at the age of 87. Dennis and Donna Faye were just a few days short of celebrating 62 years of marriage.

Donna Faye was preceded in death by her parents, Gilbert and Ellen Wiley. She is survived by her husband Dennis, her daughters, Sandy (Jerry Fenter), Linda (Jeff Childers), Wanda (George Bush), and son Curtis (Juliette). She is also survived by her 14 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren, and two sisters, Margaret Mathes and Lois McCormick.

Donna Faye was a woman of deep faith. She was a caring person, devoted wife, mother and friend, always thinking of others first. She will be deeply missed, by all who knew her.

Memorial donations may be made to the following:

• Christian Relief Fund (christianrelieffund.org)

• South Houston Bible Institute (www.shbi.org)

• Harbor Hospice Foundation (www.harborfoundation.com)

A graveside service will be held 10:00 am Saturday, September 3, 2016 at Forest park East Funeral Home, 21620 Gulf Freeway, Webster, Texas 77598.