Phyllis Sesler

Born in Nashville, Tennessee on March 6, 1943

Departed on November 20, 2020 and resided in Nashville, Tennessee

On Friday, November 20, 2020 Phyllis Lee Sesler, loving wife and mother of four children, passed away at the age of 77, after a hard-fought battle with lung cancer.

Phyllis was born on March 6, 1943 in Nashville, TN to Merrill and Jeanette (Conn) Phifer. She attended Hillsboro High School, was a cheerleader, sorority member and began her young adult life early. She believed in and took chances on love and was not afraid to live fearlessly. Over 30 years ago she met, fell in love with and married Gary Sesler. Gary has been the steadfast love of her life. She had four children Mac (Jennie) Gayden Jr., Kathryn (Friedrich) Krispin, Kellie (James) Nelson and Karrie (Dave) Shackleford. She was also the proud grandmother of five grandsons, one granddaughter, and three great grandchildren (and we anticipate the birth of two additional great grandchildren by Christmas). She is survived by two sisters, Merrilyn (Douglas) Pegg and Jennifer (Robert) Stockard and four cousins, Joe (Marilyn) Folger, Mary Hardin (Sterling) Walker, Ann Conn Arnold, and Judy Gerhardt. And, her many nieces, nephews and their children brought her great inspiration joy, and laughter.

For over 35 years, Phyllis worked as a Medical Coordinator at Cardiovascular Surgeons (now part of St.Thomas Hospital). She was dedicated and diligent in supporting the doctors and ensuring patients and their families were informed and reassured. She was empathetic and compassionate but also resolute and determined. She was intuitive, understood people and faced adversity with her own unique blend of humor and strength. Her annual family gatherings / vacations to Grayton Beach and Seaside (30A) helped to keep her extended family connected. Unbeknownst to her, she grew into the family matriarch. She was "our person", quick with an easy laugh, joke or "FaceTime" check-in. She was magnetic, listened for the unspoken words, loved deeply and fought fearlessly for family and friends. She loved animals, (especially her cats), enjoyed gardening and researching family pictures and history. She was very organized and we had fun kidding her about her stockpile of paper products, toothpaste and canned goods (which ironically have become very necessary during these trying times). She will be greatly missed by those lucky enough to have known her.

Please visit Harpeth Hills Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home at harpethhills.com to sign the on-line guest book and leave your favorite memories. Given COVID-19 restrictions a small private family service will be held this week and a larger celebration of life ceremony will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers please contribute to Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue; PO Box 210830, Nashville, TN. 37221. Also, in her memory please reach-out to a shut-in family member or friend especially during these the days of isolation.