Ruth Fanette Brunson Chesser

Posted on February 25, 2022

Ruth Fanette Brunson Chesser, a longtime resident of Perry, died on Feb. 20, 2022, in Valdosta, Ga., after an extended illness. She is survived by: son, Jay (Mandi) Chesser of Lynn Haven; daughter, Beth (Jim) Cleveland of Valdosta; son, Rob (Tammy) Chesser of Oak Ridge, N.C.; and niece, Barbara Clemons English of Birmingham, Ala. Fanette was born in Bainbridge, Ga., on Nov. 15, 1934. The Brunson family moved to Perry in 1938 where her father was the A&P Store manager. A Florida State University graduate, Fanette was a dedicated teacher and taught eighth grade history before retiring from the Taylor County School System. She enjoyed a busy retirement serving on the board of directors for the Tree Capital Credit Union and the Tree Board for the City of Perry. She volunteered as a pink lady at Doctors’ Memorial Hospital and was a member and past president of the Perry Garden Club. She most especially loved playing bridge as often as she could between trips to see her children and grandchildren. She freely shared her musical talent with her church family and friends, playing for untold numbers of weddings and funerals throughout her life. She began her lifetime service as a church musician with First Baptist Church of Perry when she was 16 years old and retired from her position as church musician for First Presbyterian Church of Perry in 2018 at the age of 83. She was preceded in death by: her husband of 50 years, William “Billy” Joseph Chesser; her parents, Robert Fallen Brunson and Fannie Mae Swicord Brunson; her sister, June Clemons Bassett; her brother-in-law, Archie Leroy Clemons; and her nephews, Archie Leroy Clemons Jr. and John Mark English. Other survivors include: her grandchildren, Jenna (Trampus) Andrews, Katie Chesser, Rebecca Chesser, Sara Chesser, Drew Cleveland, Madison Chesser, Caroline Cleveland and John Chesser, and great- grandson, Sutton Andrews. A private graveside service will be held Saturday, Feb. 26, at 9:30 a.m. at Pineview Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held in the sanctuary at First Presbyterian Church of Perry at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, followed by a memorial service at 11:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the organ fund of First Presbyterian Church of Perry (P.O. Box 837, Perry, FL 32348) and SADS Foundation (4527 South 2300 East, Ste. 104, Salt Lake City, UT 84117-4448).