Earsley Mae Tesner

Asheville - Earsley Mae Tesner, 79, went to be with her Lord Thursday, March 11, 2004 at her home following a period of declining health. A lifelong resident of Buncombe County and a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. Miss Tesner retired after 45 years of service in retail sales and at the time of her retirement was employed with Uptons Department Store. She was the daughter of the late John Bascombe and Mary Jane Buckner Tesner and was also preceded in death by her 6 brothers. Surviving are her companion and special friend, Dorothy Dot Lawrence withwhom she made her home; nephew, Gerald Tesner of Asheville; nieces, Judy Payne and Ginger Forester, both of Weaverville; Barbara Hughes, Kay Tesner, and Ann Gribble all of Asheville; 8 great nephews, 9 great nieces, and 17 great great nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 11 A.M. Monday in the Anders-Rice Funeral Home Chapel with the Revs. Eb Jenkins and H.L. Wilson officiating. Burial will be in Ashelawn Gardens of Memory. The family will receive friends from 7 until 8:30 PM Sunday at the funeral home. At other times, the family will be at the home of Ginger and Mike Forester, 43 Dogwood Drive, Weaverville. Memorials may be made to Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, P.O. Box 18293, Asheville, NC 28814.