Ester Lena McKissack

November 9, 1925 - June 22, 2018

Ester Lena McKissack, age 92, a resident of Nashville, passed away Friday morning, June 22, 2018 at Summit Hospital in Hermitage.

Her body will lie in state on Friday from 9AM – 4PM at Heritage Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held on Saturday at 12PM at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Pinecrest Memorial Gardens. A visitation will be held on Saturday from 10AM – 12PM at the funeral home. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Ester Lena McKissack was born in Spring Hill and was the daughter of the late Hattie and Annanias McKissack. She was educated in the Maury County Public School System and was a member of Mt. Hope Missionary Baptist Church. Ester Lena was employed by Watson’s Café, Stan’s Café and as a domestic worker for several families including Harold Parks and Ann Russell in the Spring Hill area. She also worked at Apcom Inc, and her last employment was with Donald Ray and Joyce Wolfe, who were not only her employers but her friends. Ester Lena loved gospel singing, cooking, and her family.

She leaves behind to cherish her memory her devoted daughter: Thelma Vestal; two grandchildren: Danny LaBrian (La Trece) Vestal and Felicia Freeman; one great grandson: Kevin L. Freeman, Jr.; special devoted nieces and nephews: Carolyn Oden Timmons, Dr. Trevor J. Holt, Darryl, Cedric, and Chance McKissack, Velma “Dina,” Zoe, Veasey Prowell, Stephanie Rickey, Alicia Frierson; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sisters: Hattie McKissack, Mary Virginia McKissack, Gertrude Patricia McKissack Oden; brothers: James (Sara) McKissack and Lucius (Ellis) McKissack; nieces: Dorothy Mae McKissack and Willa Jean (Richard) Jenkins; nephews: Michael, James Henry, William “Billy” McKissack, James “Tom” Caldwell, George “Cup” Baugh, Jr.; and beloved son-in-law: Danny Vestal.

Pallbearers will be: Darryl McKissack, Darrius McKissack, Cordell McKissack, Patrick McKissack, Cedric McKissack, Keva McKissack, Rick Jones, and Eric Armstrong.

Honorary pallbearers will include: James Burton, Donald R. Wolfe, and Reggie Pope. Nieces and friends will serve as flower bearers.