Kara Essex

Kara Lea Waite Essex, 61 years old, passed away April 20, 2020 at home surrounded by family. Kara was a unique spirit, gifted artist, and a talented executive chef. Kara graduated from Fairhope High School, attended Faulker junior college, and obtained her Executive Chef Certification through American Culinary Federation. She possessed a voracious appetite for reading from modern cookbooks to historical novels. Kara was always ready to share her creativity through the finesse of the fines recipe or through skills hones and shaped by her loving late grandmother, Lee Ola Pate and uncle Hot. Her talents were savored by palates in some of the finest restaurants in New Orleans, Louisiana, Orange Beach, Alabama, and Nashville, Tennessee. Best known for her creative and delectable bread puddings, Kara never failed to use her expertise to serve others, whether it was preparing a meal for someone’s special occasion or feeding the poor. Kara’s generosity and kindness satisfied many appetites. Kara Essex was born at Tachikawa Air Base, Japan in 1958, daughter of the late William S. and Mable Frances Waite. She is preceded in death by her oldest sister, Sherry Waite Dolhonde. Kara is survived by her beloved sisters, Sue Tedesco married to Tony Tedesco and Pamela Nastasi married to the deceased Joe Nastasi, and her brother William N. Waite. Kara will be missed and fondly remembered as “Aunt Kara” to numerous nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. A Celebration of Life, officiated by Pastor Paul Ernewein, will be held in Pensacola, Florida on September 19, 2020.