Esther E. Dutton

Esther was the only child of John and Ethyl (Davis) Baker. She had three step brothers who were close to her always, although they did not live in the home. She began her life in Lena, Ohio in 1920, with loving parents who taught her the value of giving to others. She graduated from Lena-Conover High School and moved to Springfield, Ohio where she served as the secretary to the Chief of Police.

She met Paul Edgar Huey and they were married on December 7, 1947. He was to move to St. Louis for a job with Rawlings Sporting Goods, and although Ohio would always be home, she took her first baby and landed in a whole new city. South St. Louis was first, followed by their home in Webster Groves, which provided the establishment of home for the three girls, Elaine, Karen, and Jane whom they loved dearly. WebsterGroves Presbyterian Church served as a basis for the family faith.

Paul died at age 40, leaving her to raise her three daughters as a single mom. She took a job at South Webster Presbyterian Church as a secretary, and never looked back until the girls were grown. Over the years, she taught Sunday School, belonged to the Women's Association and served as a deaconess and elder in the church.

In 1980 she met Alfred Benjamin Dutton, the 2nd love of her life. They combined 3 sons and 3 daughters into a loving family. Sons Ken, Larry, and Randy brought their owner families and together they shared 6 children, 8 grandchildren, and 11 great grandchildren! They traveled and enjoyed sharing their lives with friends and family. his loss was very difficult and she has been waiting to join him.

From such humble beginnings came Esther Elizabeth Baker in 1920. She was to be their JOY and the only daughter of John and Ethyl Baker, who loved her deeply. Although born in Troy, Ohio, she spent most of her growing up years in Lena, her father working at the grain elevator and her mother operating the telephone switchboard. Her mother reminding her to “straighten up” when her behavior was disappointing, and her father letting each suitor know that "she is all we have". However, that was not entirely true, for they believed in God and His infinite power and love, and in the JOY of living. Simple lives lived fully, what a gift that would be in our hurry-up lives today. So many wonderful memories; Granddaddy's meticulous garden and orchard, Grandmother's candy box under her chair, the pump at the well, the coal in the stove for heat, the feather bed, the outhouse, all became indelible images in the memories of Esther and her 3 girls who lived in St. Louis and knew about the bustle of city life better than the simple, quiet, country life found in Lena. Visits to Lena were anticipated in the little house where doors were never locked because, Granddaddy believed that "locks only kept out honest folks".

In time, she left home to work in the city, where she met Paul Huey and they married and moved to Missouri to begin their lives together. Webster Groves was to be home for Esther and family, but Lena was never forgotten. In the last few year she continually asked to "go home" and believed it was only a short trip to visit her parents

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Paul died at 40, and she took a job as church secretary at South Webster Presbyterian Church, where her spiritual gifts were put to good use. She was a single parent through the teenage years and believed that God, the church, and her many friends saw her through those years. But God saved the best for last, when she was blessed with the love and care of Al Dutton! She gained 3 sons, which she knew nothing about, and he 3 daughters. They shared the love of 6 children and their families and the loss of him was painful and left her longing, until now. The time has come for them to be reunited.

Her life was a series of 17's; she graduated from high school at 17, she was married to Paul for 17 years, she was single while she raised 3 daughters for 17 years, she met Al Dutton and they shared 17 wonderful years together, and Jane asked that the next 17 years be saved for us, which she did!

Angels among us? Yes, I believe we have all been blessed in knowing one of God's angels. I believe that she was sent to us to teach lessons of LOVE and JOY in her humble, patient and loving way. She lived those lessons every day of her life, and all who met her, loved and respected her. Her patient, gentle ways touched everyone and her selfless caring had a way of providing comfort. My guess is that she touched your life or you wouldn't be here today. As her children, we learned to care for others and each other, to give to those who had less than we had, to be honest and kind, and to pray for the gifts we had been given. She was never afraid of dying and wondered why God kept her here so long...my answer was that He wasn't quite through with her yet. I can see her answering to God for the way she has spent her life, with all the heavenly hosts around Him, welcoming her into the Kingdom. When we finished our evening phone calls, she would say “Night, night! We’ll see each other in forever!” May we one day join her there for she will surely be waiting with open arms.

She believed passionately in the power of prayer and the fact that God has a good plan for our lives. May we believe in His plan for us, and may we take her gifts of LOVE and JOY with us all the days of our lives.

Memorials in her memory to the Webster Groves Presbyterian Church or Lutheran Senior Services are appreciated by her family