Esther Weaver Hilliard

She was born on the farm near Randlett, Oklahoma, on August 16th of 1934 to Carl Henry and Olive Pauline Thompson and was the youngest of three children. She was valedictorian of Big Pasture High School in 1952, where she had excelled in basketball, had been selected Cotton County Queen, and was a member of most every student organization from home economics to rodeo. She attended Midwestern University and received numerous awards and honors. While at Midwestern she met and married O’Neal Weaver in 1955 and began a family. She also found her life’s calling by majoring in Elementary Education and becoming a professional educator.

Esther was a lifelong Methodist, having been raised in the Randlett Methodist Church. For many decades of her adult life she was a Sunday School teacher, board member, and treasurer of Holly Springs United Methodist Church near Martin’s Mill. She also served on the Holly Springs Cemetery Board. She was faithful and steadfast, and this was visible in her life’s passion, the growth and development of children. Esther taught school for over forty years, both in Canton and Martin’s Mill, and she taught Sunday School, always. She would say she loved children and old folks, it was the ones in between that were troublesome. She also loved animals, the outdoors, a warm fire in the stove, and a good book. She got to travel the world, but loved to be at home.

Esther was preceded in death in January of 1990 by husband O’Neal Weaver, and in February of 2011 by Dan Hilliard, whom she married in 2000. As pointed out by friend Henry Lewis, she was a spouse to two of the finest men that Van Zandt County ever produced. Those who knew her knew why. She was quietly special in every way.

Esther is survived by four children, Cindy Lee Davis of Manchester, Oklahoma, and husband Kyle, Laurie Nell Graham of Martin’s Mill, and Tony, Barbara Ellen Isham of Ashland City, Tennessee, and Ken, and Ivy O’Neal Weaver III of Martin’s Mill, and Amanda, and eight grandchildren, Sarah Stafford (Eric), Molly Graham, Will Graham (Brittney), Scott Weatherford (Stephanie), Abbie Bell, Micah Isham (Gabbie), Kolten Croasdale, and Ivy Weaver IV, as well as great grandchildren Case Lewis, Jacob and Chance Stafford, Stevie, Kobi, and Clyde Graham, and Fallon and Declan Bell.

She is also survived by all the now grown-up children she ever had in school. Each was equally important, and she loved every one.

Visitation will be 4-6 pm Sunday, January 5, 2025, at Eubank Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held 11 am Monday, January 6, 2025, at Holly Springs United Methodist Church with Reverend Kat Britton officiating and Neal Weaver speaking. Lunch to follow. Interment will be in Holly Springs Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to The O'Neal & Esther Weaver Scholarship Fund c/o Laurie Graham, Neal Weaver, 280 PR 8903, Canton, TX 75103 or c/o First State Bank, Ben Wheeler.