Barbara Jean Tesh

After a very brief battle with cancer, Barbara Jean Garner Tesh, age 79, wife of the late Dr. Phillip Gary Tesh, died on January 31, 2016 in the comfort of her home in Concord, NC.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, February 5th at St. James Lutheran Church with the Pastor Tony Bradshaw officiating. A reception given by St. James Lutheran Church will follow. A private graveside service will be held at Carolina Memorial Park prior to the memorial service. The family will receive friends Thursday from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Wilkinson Funeral Home and will be at the home the remainder of the time.
Barbara was born on September 11, 1936 in Denton, NC, to the late Cisero Lowe Garner and Maize Burns Peacock Garner. Barbara grew up in a loving family with four sisters and one brother. She attended Cabarrus Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, graduating in 1957. During her time in nursing school, Barbara met and married Phillip Gary Tesh of Kannapolis, NC. After marrying, Barbara and Phil moved to Durham, NC where Barbara worked for McPherson Ear, Nose, and Throat Hospital. She thoroughly enjoyed her work at the hospital where she remained employed until the mid 1960’s. After Phil finished dental school at UNC, they moved to Concord.
After coming to Concord, Barbara got involved in the community with service through the Junior Charity League of Concord and a variety of committees through the Old Courthouse Theatre. Barbara enjoyed playing tennis, golf, and occasionally, bridge, and remained active in her book and garden clubs. Barbara had a passion for food and travel. One of her fondest memories was attending a cooking school while in France. She enjoyed baking and creating wonderful edible treats for her family and friends. Barbara was a longtime member of Saint James Lutheran Church and has faithfully served in the following capacities: Foods and Reception committee, as a volunteer for groups working with the community at large, as a council member, and in her Circle group. Barbara has always held a special place in her heart for the faith and friendships that St. James Lutheran Church has provided her.
Barbara is survived by children Lynne Tesh Gronback of Hillsborough, NC; Phillip Gary Tesh Jr and his wife, Lynn of Concord; and Amy Elizabeth Tesh Sparks and her husband, Brent of Huntersville, NC. She is also survived by her two sisters Maxine Garner Loflin of Denton, NC and Ann Garner Jones of Summerville, SC. Barbara’s grandchildren who will miss her include Jesse Gronback and wife, Rachel, Gunnar and Anders Gronback; Amanda, Nathan, Kelli, Madison, Aaron, and Corey Tesh; and Kaelyn and Rachel Sparks. Additionally, Barbara leaves behind her dear and faithful friend, Dr. Robert Hammonds. Her nieces and nephews will miss her wit and great cooking! In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her sister, Jewel Garner Futrell Beaman, and her brother, Clinton Lowe Garner.
The family would especially like to thank Hospice and Palliative Care of Cabarrus County, caregiver Pamela Wingler of Home Instead and all of the wonderful people in our mother’s village of support for their compassion.
In lieu of flowers, the Tesh family requests that donations be made to any of the following establishments:
● Hospice & Palliative Care of Cabarrus County, Inc., 5003 Hospice Lane, Kannapolis, NC 28081
● CVAN (Cabarrus Victims Assistance Network),P.O. Box 1749, Concord, NC 28026-1749
● Boys & Girls Club of Cabarrus County, 247 Spring Street NW, PO Box 1405, Concord, NC 28026
● Saint James Lutheran Church, PO Box 684, Concord, NC 28026-0684.