Esther W. Shackelford, age 73. Sunrise August 10, 1943 and Sunset December 3, 2016. Born Esther Wacky Williams in Toccoa Georgia, she grew up attending the church of her family, Friendship Baptist Church. Upon moving north she became a member of Triedstone Missionary Baptist Church, a relationship that would span over 40 years.
Esther was a cancer survivor and had become a member of the Covenant Sisters Cancer Support Group to share in the struggles of others who had also battled with cancer. At the time of her passing, Esther was an employee of Job and Family Services where she took great pleasure in serving the public.
She was a graduate of Wilberforce University and held education and personal development in very high regard. This desire to learn and grow was something she instilled in her children, to engage in the pursuit of knowledge. Esther was a warm, loving, intelligent, and fun person who always remained deeply committed to her family, friends and community. She was also know to have a silly streak and loved to laugh and to see you smile.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Willard Williams of Gainesville and Toccoa respectively, and her eldest brother, Robert.
Left to cherish her memory are her children Jean Pierre Shackelford, Charles Bruce (Michelle de Cean) Shackelford Jr. of Australia, and daughter, Elaine M. Shackelford. She is also survived by her siblings, Clarence, Fred (Geraldine), Harry (Racheal), and Truman (Janet) Williams, and sister Marilyn Lott. She passes on having lived to know and love 6 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. She will be sorely missed by her family as well as a host of other relatives and friends, each and all very dear to her heart.
Visitation 6pm Funeral 7pm Thursday, December 15, 2016 at Triedstone Missionary Baptist Church, 858 E. 3rd Ave. Ministry of Comfort Entrusted to MARLAN GARY FUNERAL HOME, THE CHAPEL OF PEACE NORTH, 2500 Cleveland Ave.
My high school class mate, classmates at Tennessee State. Your family is in my thoughts and Prayers.
Much love from the Whitman class of 1961, and the Friendship Baptist Church Male Chorus Toccoa
GA.
May you find comfort in knowing others care and share in pleasant memories of your loved one.
Brenda H. Davis & Bettye R. Henderson.
I am so sorry for your lose, you have my condolence. Just remember God don’t put no more on us than we can bare. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from which cometh my help, my help come from the Lord. May God bless your family and keep you in his care.
As a classmate and dear friend, Esther will certainly be missed. The past two Summers we spent quality time together. She was a loving as well as a lovely person. Rest in peace my sister.
Ester was a loving woman. I have known the family all my life. Mr. & Mrs Walt Williams were good friends with my parents. . Ester was beautiful inside and out. When she would visit Toccoa, I always tried to make sure that I had a fruitful conversation with her. You are in my prayers and thoughts. You have my sympathy. May His Love abound and give you comfort and strength.
Juanita Osborne (Johnson) Hay
Boone , NC
I fondly remember Esther as the little sister to the boys next door. I am so sorry for your loss. To the brothers that I remember, Clarence, Fred, Harry and Truman you may remember me as Melvin Ingram’s older sister. I always loved and admired your family. May you find yourselves surrounded by loving family and caring friends to support you during these difficult times.God bless you all.