Esther Marie Graham
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Esther Marie Graham, 97, of Olton, arrived at the feet of Jesus, Monday, April 18, 2022, at her home, in Olton, Texas. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, April 22, 2022, at the First Baptist Church in Olton with Rev. Doug Yates officiating. Interment will follow at Olton Cemetery under the care of Ramage Funeral Directors.
Esther Marie Graham was born on December 14, 1924, in Cranfills Gap, Texas, to Eddie Lee and Letha Mae Landtroop. She moved with her family to the Lakeview/Petersburg community and then later to the Maple/Bula community. She graduated from Morton High School and attended Bethany Nazarene College (now Southern Nazarene University). She married James Calvin Graham on August 3, 1947, in Maple, TX. She and Calvin then moved "two North and a half East of Olton" where she lived in the same house for 75 years.
Esther was a 5th grade elementary school teacher, farmer's wife, Sunday school teacher, and an active member of the First Church of the Nazarene in Olton. After retiring, she continued to serve her community as a member of the Olton School Board, the Olton Study Club, and the local Delta Kapa Gamma teacher's sorority. Investing countless hours, Esther also helped found the Sand Crawl Museum in Olton to help preserve the rich history of the community she loved. Esther lived a life rich in service. Nights spent sewing dresses, doll clothes, and blankets were commonplace. Her love for cooking manifested beyond homemade sourdough bread and blackberry cobbler as she taught a generation how to fill their plates and hearts. Whether teaching children or adults, bible verses or missionary efforts, or history in general, Esther captivated and inspired her audience with confidence, passion, and patience. More than anything, her love for God guided her though life's challenges and rewards, from marriage and motherhood, to teaching and serving, to her quick wit and gratitude for life's small gifts to the very end.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, two sisters, her husband James Calvin Graham, her daughter Diana Jones, and son-in-law Mike May. She is survived by her sister Jewel Henderson of Alex, OK, her son, Steve Graham and his wife JJ of Olton, daughters, Linda May of Boise, Idaho, Rita Gregory and her husband John of Nampa, Idaho, Debra Melcher and her husband Mike of Plainview, and Jimmie Kay Moore and her husband Lynn of Muleshoe, TX, as well as 17 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren.
The family suggests memorials be made to the Olton Cemetery Association PO Box 1055 Olton, Texas 79064 or to the Sand Crawl Museum PO Box 719 Olton, Texas 79064.