Stacey Kessler

STACEY NORRIS KESSLER, 45

Stacey Norris Kessler was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on September 18, 1972 and she danced her way into Heaven gates on May 15, 2018.

Stacey was a ballerina throughout childhood and studied dance at Alabama School of Fine Arts (ASFA) boarding school in Birmingham, AL and The University of Alabama before dancing professionally with The Alabama Ballet. Stacey was best known in her home town of Tuscaloosa, Alabama as a star in the Nutcracker production at the Bama Theater as "Clara" numerous times and later a ballet instructor and General Manager of Susu's Academy of Ballet and Jazz. During her senior year at The University of Alabama, she danced her way into the heart of her husband, Mark Kessler; they were married in 1998 and started a family in Atlanta, Georgia.

Stacey was an incredible mother to her 3 children, constantly volunteering to help her teachers/classrooms at Northside Pre-School and Morris Brandon Elementary. She loved giving to those in need and philanthropic was a passion of hers, giving to causes that primarily supported children in need and poverty stricken families. This constant need to help others, propelled Stacey to assist her kids in forming Kessler Kids MAJiK which has raised over $200,000 primarily to assist at risk children. Money raised by Kessler Kids MAJiK has even sprung several wells for clean drinking water in Africa bearing the name of the organization.

Stacey lived her life, just as she danced....with incredible grace, elegance, and poise. She was loved by everyone who met her and brightened the room with her smile, humility, kindness, and laughter. The cornerstone of Stacey's life was her unwavering Faith, and her belief that the purpose of life was to enhance others lives and nurture relationships with Family and Friends. Her Faith was embedded in her DNA and drove her to serve by being an unselfish ear to a friends' problems or an ever lending hand to a family members strife.

Stacey embraced everything that life had to offer whether it was spending it with her best friends at an Alabama Football Game on Saturday, a Church Service on Sunday, attending her bible study called "the Goddesses", a discussion of a book at the "Best Book Clubbers Ever" or the "Amazing Mother Daughter Book Club." Of course, there was always a nice Friday night dinner with her husband followed by a brief stop off to dance to the music of the Breeze Kings at Northside Tavern before heading home. Stacey was a member of Buckhead Church in Atlanta, a member of Great Expectations Sunday School class at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church, and was consistent in her daily devotional sessions. Stacey was a student of the bible, and her faith became stronger even after receiving unconscionable news about her health. Stacey loved the Lord and accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior, but most importantly, followed Him on a daily basis.

Stacey was predeceased by her son Jakob Joseph Kessler in 2009 as well as her Aunt, Cindy Meyers and her grandparents. Stacey was survived by her loving husband of 19 years, Mark M Kessler, Sr.. She was also survived by her children Aly Grace Kessler (16), Kate Elise Kessler (13) and Marcus Moore Kessler, Jr (10), her mother Sandra Lary, father Larry Norris, her brother Chad Norris (Sabrina) and Chad's children Hunter and Anna Camplen Norris and her brother Nicholas Norris. Additionally, Stacey predeceases numeours Aunt's, Uncle's and cousins whom she loves very much.

The family gives them and everyone else who cared for Stacey their greatest gratitude. The family would also like to thank the incredible love of the Buckhead community as well as friends from all over the world who have sent word's of encouragement during during Stacey's "Fight Song" against brain cancer. To say that your love sustained us, would not even begin to qualify as an understatement. We have never experience such an outpouring of love like this and it was so special.

Stacey's Service Details.

The Kessler Family would like all of our friends and family and anyone who loved Stacey or wants to support her kids, to come join us for a celebration of her life at Buckhead Church. Kids are welcome.

Sunday, May 20, 2017

Buckhead Church

3336 Peachtree Road NE

Atlanta, GA 30326

4:00pm:

Stacey Norris Kessler Celebration of Life Service inside the Buckhead Church Auditorium

Immediately following the service:

The Kessler family invites you to join them for fellowship just outside of the Celebration of Life location.

Buckhead Church is where Mark and Stacey invited Jesus into their marriage and began to follow Him together. We are thrilled to share our church home with you.

And he said to her,

"Daughter, your faith has made you well;

go in peace, and be healed of your disease."

Mark 5:34

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for donations to be made to the Stacey Norris Kessler Memorial Gardens which will be a prominent garden named in honor of Stacey at The Bobby Jones Golf Course on Northside Drive, near the Kessler Home.

Make checks payable to the "Bobby Jones Golf Course Foundation, Inc / Stacey Norris Kessler Gardens". All donations are tax deductible and the Kessler Family will make a matching donation.

Bobby Jones Golf Course Foundation, Inc.

Attn: Marty Elgison

RE: Stacey Norris Kessler Memorial Gardens

2560 Brookdale Drive, NW

Atlanta, Georgia 30305

"....a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance"

Ecclesiastes 3:4