Surrounded by the love of family and friends, Lesa Kay Fender (Mathis) of Huntsville, AL passed peacefully from this world on December 14, 2024 at the age of 67.
Lesa is survived by her loving husband, Thomas; her son Julian Wiser (Julie) of Jackson, TN; her grandsons Blake Wiser of Nashville, TN and Parker Wiser of Jackson TN; her sisters Kay Rosenthal (David) of Fort Worth, TX, Sherri Nance (Terry) of Milan, TN, and Lisa Walker of Huntsville, AL; her nieces Anna Eubanks of Fort Worth, TX and Julie Bell (Derek) of Cameron, NC; her dear friends Carisa, Renee, Beth, and Becky; and her sweet constant companion, Buffy (aka Boo-Fay).
Lesa is preceded in death by her mother Mary Evelyn Bray (Coffman), her step-father Larry Bray, her grandmothers Hazel Skelton Leach and Nell Killen Coppedge and her step-daughter Jennifer Fender.
Lesa was raised in Bruceton-Hollow Rock, TN, where she still has many friends she remained in touch with. Lesa’s career and accomplishments were multifaceted. Lesa was president of the Milan Jaycees chapter and worked at Milan General Hospital. After achieving her nursing degree from the University of Tennessee, Lesa specialized in PACU, cardiology and hospice care. During her nursing career she served 8 years as a Commissioned Officer (rank of Captain) in the USAR. Near retirement, she added to her already amazing resume by becoming a Certified Master Fitness Trainer. She had a talent for making the lives of all she came in contact with better.
They say it is better to light a candle than curse the darkness. She herself was light, a beautiful radiating light that showed itself through her hilariously wild personality, her sweet tenderness, the softness of her heart and her love that reached in and grabbed your soul. She was love.
There will be a Remembrance Service on Sunday, December 29, 2024 at 1:30pm at Hazel Green Funeral Home. The family will receive friends beginning at 1:00pm.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Sjgoren’s Foundation, your local animal shelter or hospice. When you have a moment, please sit (Lesa would probably prefer you dance) and listen to her favorite song, “Dancing in the Moonlight” and / or take a walk in nature, a place that held such a spiritual connection for her.
