Sharon Patricia Kesler Chastain

Sharon Patricia Kesler Chastain. July 5, 1943, Toccoa GA to July 27, 2020 Cumming, GA.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, memorial services will be held at a future date, likely in both Thomasville, GA and Toccoa, GA.

Sharon, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, peacefully passed away on July 27, 2020 in her sleep after suffering for many years from Alzheimer’s disease. To the end, Sharon was kind, loving, determined, and tough. Her laughter would light up a room.

Sharon was born July 5, 1943 to Harriett Mozelle Thomason Kesler and George Wendell Kesler of Toccoa. The eldest of five, Sharon was Toccoa High STAR student and valedictorian of the class of 1961 and later graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in zoology. While in Athens, she met her lifelong husband and companion Elzy Wade Chastain. After marriage and short stints in Athens and Atlanta she moved with Wade to his hometown of Thomasville. She briefly taught at Thomasville High School before taking over the retail component of the family business, PlantCraft at Oak Grove Nurseries.

Sharon’s love for flowers and nature was apparent throughout her life. She could identify just about any flower one would find on a hike anywhere in the United States or Canada. She always said her favorite was the tiny blue forget-me-not, but truthfully she never met a flower that she did not love. She qualified to be a flower show judge by winning numerous blue ribbons and best-in-show awards. For many years Sharon wrote weekly columns for the local papers and was involved with Birdsong Plantation’s transformation into a nature center around the same time. Sharon’s floral knowledge and expertise is reflected to this day across Thomasville in the yards and gardens of many residents.

Sharon loved to travel. Every summer, Wade, Sharon and their two children would drive across the United States. In 1979 they drove to Alaska and back - a journey of ten thousand miles in six weeks! Colorado, Washington, Montana, Maine, Arizona, and even British Columbia were favorite destinations. For most of the past few decades the couple traveled across the United States and Canada living full time in a pop-up camper. Holidays and winters would be spent near family in Thomasville or Toccoa.

Sharon was fun-loving, kind, intelligent, curious, and generous, but above all she was determined. Determined to get a college education. Determined that her siblings would get a college education. Determined that her children would know their country, their opportunities, and their potential. Determined that Thomasville residents appreciated the beauty of a flower. Determined to live in grace and beauty and knowledge and confidence. She was an amazing woman. She touched the lives of many.

Sharon is survived by her husband Wade; son Darel Wade Chastain; daughter Lynne Chastain Carpenter (Glenn); grandsons Michael Carpenter and David Carpenter; siblings Wayne Kesler (Peggy), Julie Kesler (Gary Kesler’s widow), Rick Kesler (Susan), and Sheila Kesler; and numerous friends and family. She is smiling down on us from heaven with her parents and her brothers Gary and Cecil. In lieu of flowers the family is suggesting donations to Birdsong Nature Center to fund a bench on a nature trail in Sharon’s name.

Courtesy of Acree-Davis Funeral Home