Frances Shive Kessler, 96, of Gainesville, Florida, passed away on Feb. 11, 2018 in the presence of her family.

Mrs. Kessler was born in Andrews, South Carolina. She met her husband in Kingstree, South Carolina, and they later moved to Gainesville in 1943 from Orangeburg, South Carolina.  

Frances spent her life raising her four children and later taught ballroom dance originally as an adjunct faculty member at Santa Fe Community College, then taught for Arthur Murray, Fred Astaire, and ultimately owned her own studio. She was very artistic and won many awards for her ceramics and oil paintings.

Mrs. Kessler is survived by her husband of 76 years, William J. Kessler; four children, William J. Kessler Jr. (Elizabeth), Nina Cameron  (Dickie), Debbie Diggs (Harold), Cindy Erlandson (Paul); seven grandchildren, Mary Beth Alford (Chuck), Heather Kessler, Rickie Cameron (Liz), Britton Cameron (Tamara), Hal Diggs, Heidi Pawlak (Shannon), Kyle Bryant; six great-grandchildren, Chelsea Cameron, Kessler Cameron, Kaleb Cameron, Hailey Diggs, Emma Jaremko, and Myles Jaremko. She was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Hollie Mignon Diggs, and her great-granddaughter, Katelyn Marie Hyer.

Frances would not want us to be saddened by her passing but to honor her memory by sharing your love with family and friends. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. 

Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Hollie Mignon Diggs Memorial Trust and Youth Ranch, P.O. Box 217, Topping Va. 23169.