Laverne Kesler Gosnell

Laverne Kesler Gosnell, 87 of Campobello, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, August 14, 2016 while at home and surrounded by family. She was born and spent her early life in Carnesville, GA before marrying and moving to Campobello in 1950, where she completed her nursing training at Spartanburg General Hospital and worked over thirty years at Piedmont Internal Medicine.  There was a story Big Mama would often tell over and over as the disease progressed and eventually took her. Each time she would tell the story, a big smile would appear on her face as she reminisced how she met the love of her life and the story goes like this.  In 1950 there was a girl from Georgia named Laverne that came to Spartanburg to attend the nursing program. That is when she met a boy named Gib from Campobello. At the time she was dating someone else and Gib eventually asked her…are you going to see him or me? She chose Gib. And so begun a true lifelong love story of Big Mama and Big Papa that lasted over 65 years. God blessed their union and their family soon expanded to five with the birth of three boys. Big Mama went on to become the most wonderful wife to Gib and mother not only to her boys, but her wide circle of family and friends.  Gib and Laverne also grew in their faith together-always placing God first in their lives, followed closely by family, friends, church and community. Big Mama believed strongly in tithing and the rich blessings received from honoring this commandment. Life was simple for them not wanting much in the way of material things, they focused their time and efforts on their family and friends.  Big Mama was hesitant on spending money on herself but found great enjoyment on spending freely on gifts for the family and especially the wonderful family meals she would prepare.  In life, there are givers and takers and Big Mama was a giver.  All who knew Big Mama were truly blessed to share and be a part of her life's journey, one of unconditional love and selfless service to others. We will all be so lost without Big Mama but her work here was completed and Jesus called her Home.  Well done Big Mama. We will miss you greatly and love you forever.
Big Mama was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Campobello. She is preceded in death by her parents William Arthur and Nettie Ragsdale Kesler, four brothers, and four sisters. She is survived by her husband of 65 years William "Gib" Gosnell, sons Reggie (Cheryl), Mark (Cindy), and Jerry (Teresa), grandchildren Lee, Christopher, Stephen (Courtney), Gil, Casey, Andrew, and Jessica, and great-granddaughters Avery and Adelyn. Her later life was greatly enriched by the care of Toni, Shelley, Margaret, Joyce, Freida, Anne, and Deanna. Without these special angels, Laverne would not have been able to remain at home with Gib.
Services will be held on Thursday, August 18, 2016 at First Baptist Church Campobello.  The receiving of friends will begin at 2pm in the church sanctuary, followed at 3pm with the services.  Interment will be at Evergreen Memorial Gardens in Landrum, SC. 
 In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to Campobello First Baptist Church Capital Improvement Fund.

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