Ernestine "Teen" Kiser

Ernestine ("Teen") Petty Kiser, stepped over the threshold into our Forever Home, on February 27, 2018, in Young Harris, Georgia.

Teen, aka "Red" for her beautiful red hair (which never went away), lived a life of service to God and family. As her 90th birthday approached, Teen still drove the treacherous mountains of Georgia visiting and delivering food she prepared to the home bound of McConnell Street Baptist Church. For decades, she served as church organist and pianist at Dogwood Hills Baptist in East Point, West End Baptist, and other churches. When Teen wasn't behind the organ, she could be found in the choir singing alto, while the rich bass voice of her husband, Art Kiser, boomed from the men's section.

Teen defied the stereotypes of her time, graduating with degrees in Music, History, and English from Tift College. For 50 years, she managed the operations of Arthur Kiser Architects with her husband Art. The firm designed hospitals, banks, and office buildings, becoming known top firm for chicken processing plants. Teen and Art traveled extensively on business and for pleasure, often in their RV Frederick (named after a hurricane it endured).

Teen and Art raised four accomplished children who provided six beautiful granddaughters, four great grandsons, and at least 12 adorable dogs and cats. Teen always loved animals and gave much of her time and effort to the Humane Society.

Teen ensured her children had a love and knowledge for Christ, scripture, and the community at large. They were all active in both Sunday schools, RAs, Girls auxiliary, choir, scouts, Civinettes, little league, ballet, and more. In addition to her work and church schedule, Teen stayed engaged with her children and the community as a scout leader and president of WMU. She compiled at least four cookbooks for Dogwood Hills Baptist (including the coveted recipe for elephant stew), and even filled a few pages with her own recipes. She made "hands down the very best cornbread dressing ever to cross your lips". She was also known for her fried chicken, Texas slaw, and biscuits.

An expert seamstress (like her mother Nell, a tailor and dress designer), Teen often made elaborate costumes for her children. One such occasion was a banquet with a Moroccan theme. Teen glued a costume "ruby" to the center of her head, but a practical joker secretly swapped the Elmer's Glue out for crazy glue. Unfortunately, the ruby remained in place four days later. Teen, as always, took the whole thing in good humor.

The family also loved sports car rallies where Teen served as navigator, mastering the art of the short cut to take top prize. On those drives, Art sat in the "cockpit", recalling his days as a decorated WWII bomber pilot and Korean War fighter pilot – while Teen dug her fingernails into the seats on hairpin turns whispering "Arthur Francis Kiser!" to no avail. It instilled such a love for open road and adventure that three of her children still drive sports cars.

Camping was the family's favorite vacation choice, a pastime shared with dear and lifelong friends. Teen cherished those times, filled with adventure, food and music, including inventive and funny lyrics about one another. Setting the dinner table could mean for any number, depending on who came; all were family.

After Art passed in 2013, Teen continued a full life, serving the church, the home-bound ministry, learning technology like iPads and iPhones, reading Jan Karon novels (in eBook form!), and hosting family and friends. She even threw a party at age 89 for nearly 40 church friends in her home. She also took tender loving care of her violets which she gifted to many over the years.

Her great-grandsons provided Teen with much joy, immersing in Go Fish, Phase II, solving puzzles, and more. She taught grand-daughter Stephanie and others how to crochet and turned lime sherbet and Sprite into a family favorite drink.

Teen's skills ranged from seamstress to talented musician to running an architectural business. She will be missed, but her mark remains in the hearts and spirits of those who knew her. Preceded in death by Arthur Kiser (husband of nearly 65 years), Nell and Ernest Petty (parents),

Teen is survived by sister Jeannelle Petty Pirkle and Curtis Pirkle; children Carol and Jess Hornsby, Steve and Tracy Kiser, Susan and Bob LiVolsi; Tina and Tom Burkizer; grandchildren Tracy Hornsby, Cindy and Mike Patrick, Stephanie and David Adams, Sandy Kiser, Kana LiVolsi-Crosby and Andrew Crosby, and Malia LiVolsi; great-grandchildren Ryan and Jackson Patrick, Alex and Jason Adams; nephew Ben and Monica Pirkle; and sister-in-law Mildred Kiser.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 10, 2018 at 2:00pm from the McConnell Memorial Baptist Church in Hiawassee, GA. The family will meet with friends on Saturday, March 10, 2018 from 12:00pm until 2:00pm at the church. Interment will follow at Osborn Cemetery. Gentlemen selected to serve as pallbearers are Charles Totherow, Eddie Tipton, Sid Berkstresser, Morton McInvale, Alex Adams, and Brian Underwood.

If you wish, memorial donations may be made in Teen's Memory to the Special Olympics online at www.specialolympics.org or to your favorite charity.

Cochran Funeral Home of Hiawassee is honored to be serving in charge of the arrangements.