Barbara Jean Kestner

Barbara Jean Kestner (Rule), 83 passed into eternal life on Thursday, July 21, 2016 after a yearlong battle with Cancer. Barbara was born in Maryville, TN on May 2, 1933. She was the oldest of three children born to the late Frank and Dorothy (Gardner) Rule. Barbara attended public school in Blount County and graduated from Everett High School in 1951. She married the late James Carter Kestner on October 22, 1952. Together they raised four sons and a daughter while Jim served in the U.S. Army. Their military career postings took them to Germany and Japan, as well as multiple assignments to Army Posts in Maryland, Texas, Georgia, and New Jersey. Barbara was a consummate mother, homemaker, military spouse, hostess and friend to everyone she met. Upon retirement from the Army in 1972, a second career in Health Care Administration saw them move to Tennessee, Georgia, and Virginia before realizing their dream to return and retire in Maryville. Ever after, their home was the gathering place for children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, friends and loved ones. Barbara was a member of Smokey View Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her father, Frank Rule, her mother, Dorothy Rule, her sister, Claudia (Rule) Hicks, her brother, Carl Rule, her husband, James Kestner and her son, Michael Kestner. She is survived by her sons Steve Kestner and his wife Filiz Kestner of Knoxville, TN, Scott Kestner of Alcoa, TN, Jeff Kestner of Maryville, TN, daughter, Lisa (Kestner) Tart and her husband James Tart of Maryville, TN, Grandsons Jamie Kestner and his wife Laronda Kestner of Vilseck, Germany, Chris Kestner of Chattanooga, TN, Erik Kestner of Fort Bragg, NC, Matt Kestner of Knoxville, TN, Taylor Kestner of Maryville, TN, Granddaughters, Megan (Kestner) Boruff of Greenback,TN, Lindsey Kestner of Chattanooga, TN, Julia Kestner of Knoxville, TN, and four great-grandchildren. Funeral service will be held 7:00 PM, Monday, July 25, 2016 at Smith Trinity Chapel with visitation from 5-7 PM. Interment will be at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at Grandview Cemetery. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Barbara Jean Kestner please visit our Sympathy Store.