Clara Jean Ester

Obituary For Clara Jean Ester

Clara Jean Ester was born on February 17, 1948 in Memphis, Tennessee to the union of Anderson Ester, Sr. and Willie Love Ester. A United Methodist deaconess, civil rights activist, and servant leader, her life and work reflected a deep commitment to faith, nonviolence, and community service. She grew up in a family committed to serving others. Her mother worked at Bethlehem Center and Clara often accompanied her and learned the importance of caring for the community. A 1965 graduate of Booker T. Washington High School, Clara devoted decades to ministry, activism, and community service. She was mentored by Dr. James Lawson, Jr., her pastor at Centenary United Methodist Church, whose guidance helped shape her life-long commitment to faith-rooted service. As a student at LeMoyne-Owen College, she became involved in the 1968 Memphis Sanitation Workers' Strike, organizing rallies and attending strike meetings. She was present on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel on April 4, 1968, when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was fatally shot. She rushed to his aid and attempted to stop the bleeding, an experience she later said strengthened her commitment to love and nonviolence. In 1970, Clara moved to Mobile, Alabama, to serve as Neighborhood Organizer at the Dumas Wesley Community Center, a Christian service program supporting children, seniors, and people experiencing home-lessness. She became a faithful member of Toulminville-Warren Street United Methodist Church. She later became Executive Director of the Dumas Wesley Center, serving in that role until her retirement in 2006. Commissioned as a United Methodist deaconess in 1986, she remained active in the church throughout her life and held several leadership roles, including national Vice President of United Methodist Women from 2016 to 2020; Chair of the National Association of Deaconess, Home Missioner, Home Missionary (NADHM): member of the General Commission on Religion and Race; and the Mobile District Lay Leader. Her ministry centered on love, nonviolence, and advocacy for marginalized communities. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Josephine Terry Knowles; and two brothers, Anderson, Jr. and Walter Ester. Her memory is cherished by her son, Reginald Ester; brother, Ronald Ester, Sr.; nephews, Ronald Ester, Jr. (Geisha) and Ryan Ester (Lucy); Keith Knowles and Angelo Knowles; nieces, Carol Maman and Josephine Jackson; great nieces and nephews, Ryan Ester, Ronald Ester, III, Keisha Maman, Jesse Maman, Jr., Jevon Maman, Karen Knowles, Michael Ester, Allen Ester, Jr., and Carletta Ester; special devoted friends, Zan Jones and Barbara Carroll; and countless others that we may never know. Visitation will be held on Monday, July 20th, 2026 from 10:00 am - 11:55 am at Centenary Untied Methodist Church located at 584 E McLemore, Memphis, TN 38106.Funeral services will be Noon, Monday July 20, 2026 at Centenary Untied Methodist Church located at 584 E McLemore, Memphis, TN 38106. The burial will take place in Historic Elmwood Cemetery, Memphis, TN.

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