Esther Stemley Braxton

Esther Stemley Braxton was born on December 24, 1934 in Evergreen, LA to Felton Stemley, Sr. and Elvira Stemley (nee Franklin). She was one of thirteen children born of this union. Her early years were spent in New Orleans, Louisiana where she was raised by Elizabeth Jenkins (Aunt Liz) and her daughter, Marguerite Bush, who was her godmother. She accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior and was baptized at Second Baptist Church in New Orleans, Louisiana under Rev. Washington. She was raised in the Central City neighborhood, where she attended Walter L. Cohen High School. For higher education, Esther studied at Southern University of New Orleans and Delgado Community College. She was employed by Total Community Action as a Food Stamp Manager. Esther worked as an Engineering Assistant for Shell Oil Company until her retirement. As a longtime member of Tulane Avenue Baptist Church under Rev. K. Alfred Sloan, she was involved in several ministries. She was a member of the Tulane Moderns Club, the Young Mothers & Others Mission Circle, and the Martha Washington Mission Society. Esther’s Christian journey continued at Tulane Memorial Baptist Church under Rev. Ross M. Johnson. There she was a member of the Senior Women’s Ministries and sang in the Chapel Choir. With a love of wood working and residential design, she was known to make lovely furniture pieces from the skills she gained studying at Delgado Community College. Her home was the hub for many parties and celebrations, as she loved entertaining and being surrounded by family and friends. She was an avid traveler who loved vacationing with her daughters and sisters. She was also a gifted seamstress. Esther Stemley Braxton departed this earth on June 13, 2020, surrounded by loved ones and family. She is proceeded in death by her parents Felton and Elvira Stemley, her guardian Elizabeth Jenkins, her Godmother Marguerite Bush, and siblings Felton (FJ) Stemley, Jr., Thelma Brown, Josephine Berry, Freddie Mae Jackson, Joyce Moore, Gloria Franklin, Edward Stemley, Sr., Louis Stemley, and her son-in-law Keith Levasseur. She is survived by four loving daughters, Karen Stemley-Hayes (Terry), Glynis Major (Dennis Webb), Ursel Staples (Michael), Deidra Braxton-Levasseur; siblings Bernice Williams, George Stemley, Gezeria Jourdan (Clarence), Julia Stemley, and Theodore Christophe (Jessie); grandchildren Sean Major (Joy), Shannon Williams, Brian Major (Tamisha), Staci Braxton-Hill (James), Cydney Owens-Staples (Timniyha), Breiana Braxton, Kacie Staples, and Kyle Levasseur; nine great- grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild; god- sisters Carol Sutton and Adrienne Jopes and god-brother Oris Buckner. She is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends who are left to cherish her memory. Due to COVID-19, please follow social distancing guidelines and a mask is required to attend service. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend a Funeral Service at Tulane Memorial Baptist Church, 3601 Paris Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana on Saturday, June 20. 2020 at 10:30am. Visitation will begin at 9:00am. Interment: Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Arrangements by D.W. Rhodes Funeral Home, 3933 Washington Ave. New Orleans, LA 70125.