Esther W. Shackelford

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. 3^rd Ave. Ministry of Comfort Entrusted to MARLAN GARY FUNERAL HOME, THE CHAPEL OF PEACE NORTH, 2500 Cleveland Ave.