Canda Childers Kessler lost her courageous twenty month battle with brain cancer August 15, 2010. She died at her home with her husband by her side. She faced her disease and treatments with optimism, strength, determination and faith. Her concerns during her illness were for others, especially her husband, Michael. He is left to cherish her memory along with her mother, Jane Childers; brother, Terry Childers and wife, Susan; niece, Courtney Dean and husband, Orrin; nephew, Justin Childers and wife, Jeanna; great niece and nephew, Karis and Noah Childers and her mother-in-law, Doris Kessler. She is preceded in death by her father, JC Childers.
Canda was born April 9, 1947 in Orange, TX to Jane and JC Childers. She graduated from Stark High School in 1965, and was a duchess in the Neches River Festival that same year. Canda attended LSU in Baton Rouge where she was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority. After obtaining her degree in merchandising, Michael and Canda married June 14, 1969. Canda worked as a research assistant at LSU School of Medicine and as a special education teacher at St. Michael's in New Orleans while Mike attended medical school and trained in internal medicine at Charity Hospital. They moved to Orange in 1976 where Canda was Mike's office manager in his private practice. Seven years later she attended the University of Houston taking classes in architectural design while Mike trained to become a pathologist. The couple moved to Beaumont in 1988, and became members of St. Mark's Episcopal Church.
Canda was very active in volunteer work and various organizations including the Symphony of Southeast Texas, the Treasure House at St. Mark's, Julie Roger's Gift of Life, Mary Howell Garden Club, and Beautify Beaumont. She was an avid reader, loved the arts, travel, hiking and most of all enjoyed intimate dinners with friends.
The family is grateful to the loving and devoted care given to Canda by Niki Waldrep, LVN, and Michelle Anderson. Sydney Cruse, RN, Libby Taylor, Wanda Johnson, Tonya Minor and Amanda Esclovon eased her journey with affection and humor. Her husband is especially thankful to the 5th floor inpatient rehabilitation staff at Baptist Hospital Beaumont for their compassion and professionalism during Canda's stay. Special thanks also are extended to Dr.'s Robert Birdwell, Senthilkumar, George Thomas, Lois Miller, Michael Ong, Steve Cherwaty, Clyde Myers, John Henderson, Daniel Lehane, and Morris Groves at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Professional Health Care Hospice provided much comfort and support for both Canda and Mike during Canda's final days. Her husband is indebted to Canda's many friends who visited, called, provided meals, sat during long surgeries and hospital stays, wrote to her, and most of all, loved her.
A gathering of family and friends will be Tuesday, August 17, 2010, from 6-8:00 p.m. at Claybar Kelley-Watkins Funeral Home.
Funeral Services will be at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 18, 2010, at St. Mark's Episcopal Church. Procession will follow afterwards to Haven of Rest Crematory in Bridge City.
If desired, contributions would be welcome in lieu of flowers to Professional Health Care Hospice, the Chaplain's Fund at Baptist Hospital of Southeast Texas, St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Julie Roger's Gift of Life, or a charity of one's choice.