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Phyllis Marie (Petty) Ester was born March 23, 1953 at Miami Inspiration Hospital in Miami to Vernie and Garland Petty and was the youngest of four children.
Phyllis grew up in lower Miami, and enjoyed playing with her dolls, playing house, sewing, crocheting, reading and going to church youth groups, where she would later meet her husband-to-be Richard Ester, whom she loved to listen sing and play his music.
Phyllis had six children, and of those six there are two sets of twins. Shelly is the oldest, then the first set of twins Gary and Jerry, then the second set of twins Jim and Tim, and for nine days out of the year all four boys are the same age, then there is the youngest child Eva: AKA “The Terror.” Phyllis also had two stepdaughters Becky and Beth. When growing up, the kids would explain about the two sets of twins, they often heard “your poor mother.” Phyllis very much loved all of her children, giving love, compassion and comforting when needed. Having four boys and the The Terror, Phyllis would at time rule her house with an iron fist, or as they will remember, with a wooden spoon. Whether biological or stepchildren, Phyllis loved all of her children very much.
Phyllis had 22 grandchildren and one great-grandchild who she very much loved and enjoyed spending as much time with as possible, she enjoyed cuddling with them, sneaking them candy, making them blankets or just sitting and talking with them.
On Dec. 8, 2016, Phyllis was diagnosed with lung cancer, and she was told by the doctors that with treatment they were giving her one year, and so her war with cancer began. Fighting the cancer with chemo, radiation and CBD oils, she won many little battles along the way, her prognosis of one year came and went, and still she fought on every day giving her all. Then in April 2018, the doctors stated that the treatment was no longer working, and her treatment was stopped. A new prognosis of two months was given, and still she fought on, never giving up, never complaining and always putting on a brave front and a smile to ease the pain of those around her, and still she fought on. On Nov. 26, 2018 at approximately 6:30 p.m. Phyllis lost her final battle and her war with cancer came to an end, where she went into the loving embrace of her mom and dad to be rejoined with all her family and friends that passed before her.
Phyllis is preceded in death by her mother, Vernie Petty, father; Garland Petty, brother; Jim Petty, sister; Betty Anderson, and grandson Trason Hull.
Phyllis is survived by her loving husband of 23 years Richard Ester; brother, Jay Petty and family; daughter; Shelly Goodman and family; son; Gary Vining; son; Jerry Vining and family; son; James Vining and family; son; Timothy Vining and family; daughter; Eva Foxworth, step-daughter Becky Teer and family; step-daughter Bethany Julian and family; 22 grandchildren and one great-grandchild, many nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles and cousins, in-laws and many other extended family members, friends and loved ones.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018 at 9 a.m. at Living Waters Community Church in Globe.
Funeral Services will follow at 10 a.m. at the Church.
Assisting the family; Lamont Mortuary of Globe.
