Selma A. Resler

Selma Ann Mitchell Resler passed away peacefully the evening of April 5, 2023, with her loving husband at her side. She was 86. Selma was born March 21, 1937 in Watermann, IL, the daughter of Margaret Jesse Mitchell and John P. Mitchell. The second of five children, she entered this world while her parents were in the movie theatre watching After the Thin Man; thus, they named her after the movie’s heroine, Selma.

As the daughter of farmers, Selma grew up helping her parents work farms in rural Illinois, resulting in her love of fresh food, gardening and horses. A gifted writer, she attended Milliken University on a full scholarship, graduating Magna Cum Laude; she was the first in her family to attend and complete a college education. In addition, while at Milliken, she was a cheerleader and served as president of her sorority, Pi Kappa Phi.

Milliken University is where Selma met the love of her life, David D. Resler. A blind date over a cup of coffee became a lengthy courtship of four and a half years: although she knew he was the one from the start, it wasn’t until she was about to move on that Dave came to his senses and proposed. They wasted no time in marrying and starting a family, resulting in two children, Loring and Bradley, and began their life together as an inseparable, united team, completely devoted to and supportive of one another through five moves and many an adventure, between MS, IL, AL, and GA. Throughout it all, they trusted one another explicitly, holding the same goals and values.

Selma’s greatest desire in life was to marry and have children. To that end, she and Dave decided she should be a stay-at-home mother. Selma relished providing for her family in this manner: she chose to cook everything, including bread, from scratch, grew small vegetable gardens and frequented farms for eggs and fresh meat, a carry over from her childhood rooted in farming. She kept a watchful eye on her husband’s health, even when he was traveling. Many a time, one of Dave’s sales reps would call to report that Dave had deviated from a healthy diet by, for example, eating sliders and peanut butter pie for lunch. She sewed her children’s clothing for many years, and even took on reupholstering classic car interiors when Dave took that on as a hobby. Selma also masterfully managed the family bank account—imagine the expression on Dave’s face when he went to their bank to cash his paycheck, and the teller wouldn’t honor it because it held a different signature…his own signature!

Selma was engaged in community throughout her life. A member of the Lutheran church from early in her marriage, and a founding member of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Hoover, AL, she always sang in church choirs, served in Lydia circles, sewed Lent banners, baked desserts and offered support on any other tasks that arose. Selma enjoyed being an active tennis player in the ALTA league, in Birmingham, AL, Atlanta, and Elgin, IL. She had a keen aesthetic sense, loved a good glass of wine with dinner, and was a lifelong reader of NYT bestsellers.

Selma will be remembered for her unending compassion, her kindness and graciousness, her clarity and grit. She had a radiant smile and mesmerizing eyes; she became friends with everyone she came in contact with. In addition to neighbors, church members and tennis pals, she was on a first-name basis with store clerks everywhere: her children were always amazed when clerks throughout shopping malls and grocery stores would call her by name; she remained in touch with many long after she had moved away through cards and detailed, handwritten letters.

Selma Resler is preceded in death by her loving parents, Johnny and Margaret Mitchell. She is survived by her doting husband of 64 years, David; her daughter, Loring, and her son, Bradley, both of Atlanta. She is also survived by three of her four brothers and sisters: Paul (Betsy) Mitchell, Diana (Mark) Keefe and Steve (Laura) Mitchell, all of MN, as well as beloved nieces and nephews and many friends and loved ones from church and tennis.

Those wishing to do so may make a donation in her honor to:

Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church

4887 Valley Dale Road

Birmingham, AL 35242

www.sothl.org

A visitation for Selma will be held Wednesday, April 12, 2023 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 4887 Valleydale Rd, Birmingham, AL 35242. A funeral service will occur Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at 1:00 PM, 4887 Valleydale Rd, Birmingham, AL 35242. A committal service will occur Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at Elmwood Cemetery & Mausoleum, 600 Martin Luther King Jr Dr, Birmingham, Alabama 35211.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.johnsridoutselmwoodchapel.com for the Resler family.