Beatrice Ester

“OUR MOTHER THE COMFORTER”

Mrs. Beatrice Young-Ester was born the seventh of twelve children to the union of Baddie and Blanche Porter-Young (who preceded her in death) in Greensboro, Georgia. The product of loving parents who owned their own land, she was raised in Greensboro and attended secondary school in Georgia. Throughout her early childhood she and her siblings were taught how to live off of the land picking cotton, planting, sowing, reaping crops and benefitting from a stern but wise father and a loving and caring mother. She credits them for instilling in her life principles and the pride that comes from self independence. At an early age Beatrice confessed Christ and was baptized at Spring Creek Baptist Church in Greensboro, Georgia.

Having a strong independent spirit Beatrice saw life from a different prism. She envisioned at an early age that she would one day be a school teacher and that dream fueled many of the choices of her life. Although Beatrice and many of her siblings felt that that they were born with a sole purpose to work the land she never let that solo purpose define her. She took great pride in her father’s ability to own his own land and have other people work for him. She would often say reflecting upon her childhood that “some days we worked from sun-up to sun-down but we never wanted for anything.” She reveled in the bonds, laughter and fellowship that she shared with her siblings. Often recounting stories of the mischief and pranks they would pull on each other and the laughter and lighter side of life they shared. Her dad was president of the PTA, a deacon in the church and was well respected in his local town. She would always make us understand this was 1920-1960 when life was difficult for many African-Americans and most did not own their own land in the segregated south. She took great pride that at one time her father owned over 100 acres of Georgia land. Although life was difficult being raised during those time she still managed to see a future for herself that was different. She wanted to be a school teacher and was determined to bring her dream to fruition. She procured a promise from her dad that he would help her go to college upon high school graduation. Beatrice graduated high school in 1950 boarded a bus two weeks later in search of her dream. The procured promise translated into bus fare to go up to Detroit, Michigan and live with her Uncle Porter Young and his wife Eleanor Young who could possibly help her fulfill her dream.

Beatrice arrived to Detroit in the summer of 1950 along with her sister Eleanor to pursue work and the life she longed for. Her sister decided that Detroit was not the place for her and returned to Georgia, but Beatrice was determined to make it in the Motor City.
At six feet tall, intelligent and drop dead gorgeous Beatrice had all of the tools to be successful but in 1950 Detroit (pre civil and women’s rights) opportunities for women were slim and if you were a black women opportunities were even slimmer. However that didn’t deter her she worked odd jobs cleaning homes, working as a seamstress, working as a nanny all while taking classes for her teacher’s degree. It wasn’t until after seven long years and the stress of working long hours in domestic home care and missing classes that she decided to shelf her dream.

Beatrice met the love of her life Willie James in 1958 during a New Year’s Eve party she was hosting and immediately fell in love. The loving character that her husband James was, he copied Beatrice’s phone number off of the telephone and called her the next day. After she grilled him for taking her phone number she quickly said yes to a date and as they say the rest is a love story. To this union four children were born Dennis Keith, Craig Darrell, Jada Lynette and Todd Vincent. For forty-nine years they were joined in holy matrimony to each other taking the dreams of higher education not realized for themselves and bestowed their passion for learning upon their children. No greater love, have a man than this that he lays down his life for a friend. Beatrice indeed laid down her life, her dreams and her desires so that her children would have the benefits of education and the security of loving parents. Our mother was our hero, comforter, mentor, and friend. She was as sweet as pie and as dedicated as one could be. One of the greatest joys of her life was cooking and putting on large family dinners. Her cooking and meals were legendary and no meal was complete without “something sweet for dessert.”

Beatrice and her husband Willie James inspired their children to study and do well in school. They would often say, “feed your mind so you do not have to work as hard as your mommy and daddy.” Interestingly enough it was often our father who helped us with our math and science homework, where as momma handled the reading and spelling lessons. Willie and Beatrice are the most educated people that their children know for their common sense and wisdom far exceeds any curriculum one could receive in a formal college setting. Beatrice taught Sunday School to the youth of New Prospect Baptist Church for over 20 years and served on the missionary ministry for many years as worship leader.

Beatrice worked throughout her life in Detroit taking short stints during the family rearing years. She worked for the Detroit Public Schools as a crossing guard and lunch aide, then Northwest Cone Factory for over ten years. Finally she landed back with Detroit Public Schools as custodial staff, retiring after sixteen years of service.

Beatrice and her husband James made growing up in Detroit a joy to their children and to countless relatives and friends. Holidays were filled with good eating, great laughter, games, bar-b-ques and fellowship. Beatrice received joy out of laughing and life and often times helped her family enjoy the lighter side of life through the most difficult of times. Beatrice enjoyed bowling with her husband, quilting, talking on the telephone, sewing, games nights with her girlfriends and of course cooking.

Beatrice joined New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. C.B. Heath in 1961 where she was a faithful member with her family until her transition home.


Beatrice Ester leaves to rejoice in her memory and anticipates a heavenly reunion with: One daughter Jada Lynette Ester; three sons Dennis Keith Ester, Craig (Shelly) Ester, Sr., Todd (Charlotte) Ester; seven grandchildren, Sherri Boyd, Maraa, Craig Jr., Taylor, James, Esaias and Eman Ester; Four sisters, Ethel Ragland (Ga.), Eleanor (Eddie) Germany (Ga.), Lillian (Arthur) Scott (Ga), Margaret Sue McCrimmon (Ill.), two brothers: Bennie (Grace) Young Jr. (Ga.) and Curtis Young (Ill.), and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and the New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church family, we will all miss her dearly.