Esther J. Randall

Esther Joyce Randall

1933 - 2019

Esther Joyce Forrester Randall, age 85, passed away on July 12, 2019. She was born in Lufkin, TX on September 26, 1933 to Herbert Lewis Forrester and Dessie Era Mayhan Forrester.

“Live well, laugh often, and love much”, a quote cherished by Esther, defined her mindset, guided her heart and expressed the sweet, precious spirit of this wonderful lady. Esther was honest and giving; if there was a need or care that needed to be tended, she selflessly put others first in even the smallest of things. She believed with all of her heart that regardless of the trial or blessing that life presented, God was faithful to his promise in the Book of Romans: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God..”. Repeating that verse often to others, she lived her life by that principle, rarely losing her unforgettable smile. Being around Esther, you could feel the genuine love and care that brightly emanated from within, lifting anyone around her up. She met the love of her life, Joe, while they were both teachers and would often work bus duty together. They would often find reasons to eat lunch together, and over time, this developed into a love that would last for many years. Marrying on July 26, 1971, they were absolutely in love: raising their family together, sharing a faith in Christ that would only continue to grow as time passed, and being faithfully by each other’s side until he passed away in 2018. Smart and studious, she was well educated. In her formal education, this culminated in a Master’s Degree in 1973, but in life, she continued to read and learn. American History was her favorite, and this manifested itself in the most interesting of ways besides her long career in education: an unquenchable love of antiquing and visiting estates’ sales. “Mema”, as her grandchildren lovingly called her, was a master storyteller. With her sweet, calm voice, she would turn everything into a story for the enjoyment of her listener, and her grandchildren would often sit enraptured soaking in her details. She spent her life caring for others, and her memory of compassion and selflessness will forever live on in the hearts of her family, loved ones, and anyone that caught a glimpse of this real-life angel’s remarkable and precious smile.

Left to honor her memory is her daughter, Joy Kozlowski and husband, Russell, of Beaumont, TX; son, Collin Hext, and wife, Hope, of Tyler, TX; grandchildren, Jennifer Arnold and husband, Travis, Kevin Hext, Tyler Kozlowski and Zach Kozlowski; and great-grandchildren, Liam Arnold and Everly Arnold; 1 niece; 2 nephews; and numerous friends, extended family and loved ones.

Preceding Esther in death is her loving husband of 47 years, Joe Bevil Randall; beloved son and partner in crime, Keith Hext; her parents; and sister, Judy Bingham.

Visitation for family and friends will be from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Monday, July 15, 2019 at Lumberton Family Funeral Home, 766 S. Main St., Lumberton, TX, 77657. Life honoring graveside service will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 15, 2019 at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, 4955 Pine St., Beaumont, TX, 77703.

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