Maria Anne Elder

July 25, 1950 - December 24, 2014
Maria Anne Elder

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Maria Anne Tesnear Elder, 64, of Gastonia, and formerly of Asheville, went to be with Jesus on Christmas Eve after a period of declining health.

Born in Gaston County, Maria was the beloved daughter of the late Juanita Tesnear Burch and the beloved granddaughter of the late Edward and Annabell Tesnear.

Maria is survived by her two sons, Darren Hester of Monroe and Michael Hester of Belmont; two daughters, Marcia Wilson and Beverly Edney, both of Asheville; two sisters, Judy Broyles of Mint Hill and Diane Tesnear of Hendersonville; two brothers, Robert Tesnear of Houston, TX and James Tesnear of Marshall; her uncle, John Tesnear of Gastonia; five grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 1 PM Saturday, January 3, 2015 in the Kirby Memorial Chapel of Shuler Funeral Home. The Reverend Sherrill Moore will officiate.

The family wishes to express special thanks to Eddie and Kevin Tesnear for all their support.


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  • January 10, 2015
    DIANE TESNEAR says:
    WHEN WE WERE YOUNG THERE WAS MARIA MYSELF AND OUR YOUNGER BROTHER JAMES OR AS WE CALLED HIM "JIMMY" WE ALL HAD A RED ROCKING CHAIR AND MARIA LOVED THAT CHAIR SHE WOULD SET IN IT ON THE FRONT PORCH AND ROCK AND SING TO MYSELF AND JAMES MOST OF THE DAY.WELL ONE DAY I WANTED THE CHAIR I REALLY DIDN'T WANT MARIA TO SET IN IT SO I WOULD FUSS EVERY TIME SHE STARTED TO SET IN THE CHAIR AND OUR GRANDDADDY CAME OUT AND HE HAD A SAW IN HIS HAND HE TOLD US IF WE COULD NOT SHARE THE CHAIR HE WOULD SAW IT IN HALF AND I COULD HAVE ONE HALF AND MARIA COULD HAVE THE OTHER HALF SO MY UGLY SELF SAID OK SAW IT IN HALF BUT MARIA STARTED TO CRY AND TOLD GRANDDADDY TO LET ME HAVE IT BUT IN STEAD GRANDDADDY WENT AROUND TO THE SIDE OF THE HOUSE AND CAME BACK WITH SOME HICKORY SWITCHES AND HE GAVE THE RED ROCKING CHAIR TO MARIA AND I GOT THE HICKORY SWITCHES ON MY BACK SIDE. SO I NEVER GOT TO SET IN THE CHAIR AGAIN.MARIA LOVED THAT LITTLE RED ROCKING CHAIR.

  • January 02, 2015
    Judy Broyles says:
    Sissy, I love you with all my heart. I miss you so much. I can't believe you are gone,my heart is broken. Until we meet in heaven RIP my beautiful, caring, loving and amazing sister. You will be in everyone's heart during the Christmas Season forever. Love you forever and a day. Your little sister, Judy Kaye

  • January 02, 2015
    Tammy Allison says:
    You will be missed Aunt Marie. You had such a big heart. I know you are at peace now and with some people that you love dearly. I Love You!

  • January 02, 2015
    Judi Curd says:
    God pours life into death and death into life without a drop being spilled. ~Author Unknown My thoughts & prayers are with the family of Maria as they being a New Year without her. May our precious Jesus be with you and comfort you.

  • January 03, 2015
    Susan Neal says:
    Judy, I am so sorry about your sister. It's something that nobody can understand unless they go through it. My heart hurts for you and your family. If there is anything I can do, you know I'm here. Much Love..