Esther H. Dennis

1924 - 2013

Esther H. Dennis departed this life and joined her loving husband at the age of 88, on Saturday, June 22, 2013 at 6:47pm. She passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family.

Esther, born July 18, 1924, in Gum Log, AR, graduated high school in 1942, showing a passion and great talent for the piano and singing. She later graduated from Arkansas Technical College with a degree in music. While Esther was serving as a superb soprano in the Russellville Presbyterian Church choir, she instantly fell in love with the handsome Associate Pastor, Billy V. Dennis. They were wed on August 27, 1950 and in the years following, gave birth to three adoring sons. She served as the music director for Green Forest Elementary School, Green Forest, AR, from 1959-1962 and taught 2nd grade at Atkins Elementary School, Atkins, AR, from 1962-1964.

At the height of the Vietnam War, her husband joined the United States Navy as a Chaplain. Esther then retired from teaching and became a devoted military wife and stay-at-home mother during her husband's 20 years of dedicated service. After Billy retired as a Commander, they returned to Arkansas, where Esther used her God-given talent and served as a treasured choir member in the churches where her husband would preach. They later moved to Pensacola in 1998, to be closer to their family.

Esther is preceded in death by her parents, Oliver and Nettie Hollowell; sisters, Nadine, Velma, Rheba, and May; brother, Othel, all of AR, and her loving husband of 59 years, Chaplain Billy V. Dennis of Pensacola, FL. She is survived by her sons, David, James (Merri), and John (Tracy), of Pensacola, FL; Grandsons David Jr. (Samantha) in Australia, Donald (Lynnette) of Milton, FL, and Andrew of Pensacola, FL; Granddaughters Alicia Williams of Pensacola, FL and Anna Whitlock (Joseph) of Kailua, HI; Great-Grandchildren, Brittany and Deazel in Australia, Donald Jr. and Destiny of Milton, FL, and Abigail and Joseph Jr. of Kailua, HI. She is also survived by adopted family, Bob and Marlene Thompson and John Niemeyer of Pensacola, FL and her beloved dogs, Ginger and Midget.

Visitation will be at Oak Lawn Funeral Home from 5:00 to 7:00pm on Thursday, June 27, 2013. A memorial service will be held at Warrington United Methodist Church at 10:00am on Saturday, June 29, 2013, with a Life Celebration lunch to follow. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Covenant Hospice of Pensacola or Warrington United Methodist Church. Oak Lawn Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.