Esther Foster Deatherage was born December 22, 1922 in Knobel, Arkansas and claimed her heavenly mansion on the 4th of July, 2009. Esther only had one child, her daughter Neely Joyce Spruell, who lives in Springridge with her husband, Don. She leaves three grandchildren, Karla Stanford and her husband Sammy, Arthur Kline and Rachel Young and her husband Chris; five great-grandchildren, April Jordan and husband, Mike, Alex Kline, Kristin Kline (and their mother, Paula), Nate Young and Andrew Young, and one great-great granddaughter, Brynn Jordan. Esther had four brothers: Delbert Foster, who predeceased her, Alvin J. Foster, of Corning, Arkansas and Albert C. Foster and Delmar T. Foster, both of Knobel, Arkansas and one sister, Beulah Reeves, of Memphis, Tennessee, together with thirteen nieces and nephews, each of whom was very special to her. Esther was married twice, first to Jesse E. Burkheart, with whom she remained friends throughout her lifetime, and then to Robert E. Deatherage, who died in September of 1976. After being raised in Knobel, Arkansas, Esther moved to St. Louis for a while and then moved to Shreveport in 1966, where she was employed as a waitress at Kelly's Truck Stop. After retiring from Kelly's, Esther worked as a private sitter with many families in the Shreveport area. "Granny E.C." lived a full, vibrant life most of her years and will be remembered as someone who truly enjoyed life. She loved the 4th of July because she always went home on that holiday to Corning where she attended the annual picnic and visited with friends and relatives and ate barbecue sandwiches. She always stationed herself where it would be convenient for her grandchildren and nieces and nephews to run back and get "just a couple more dollars" for the rides and games from her. It was absolutely the perfect date for her final homecoming. At the age of 80 years, Esther accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal savior and was baptized by her grandson, Chris Young, at Providence Road Baptist Church, where she was a member. Services will be held on Tuesday, July 7th at 11:00 o'clock a.m. at Providence Road Baptist Church with Rev. Chris Young officiating. Visitation will be held immediately preceding the service at the church, beginning at 9:30. Pallbearers will be Arthur Kline, Alex Kline, Sammy Stanford, Michael Jordan, Jeremy Grant and Eric Rippetoe. Honorary pallbearers will be Alvin, Delmar and Albert Foster, Jesse Burkheart and Dexter Watson. Burial will be at Providence Road Baptist Church Cemetery. The family wishes to express their deepest heartfelt thanks to the staff at the Bradford Nursing Home on Baird Road in South Shreveport and to the staff at Promise Hospital and their ICU unit in Bossier City for their excellent care. Please leave your words of encouragement for the family on the on-line memorial at www.auldsfuneral.com. Aulds Funeral Home (318)797-8124