Esther M. Letbetter

Esther M. Letbetter, 79, of Marmaduke died Sunday, June 15, 2003, at Northeast Methodist Hospital in Live Oak, Texas.

She was born March 12, 1924, in Clay County, the daughter of the late Nolan Oliver Clayton and Irene Dowdy Clayton.

She was a homemaker and a member of Marmaduke First Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Thomas "Red" Cooper; her second husband, Berl Letbetter; two brothers, Noah Clayton and Owens Clayton; and two sisters, Annie Parrish and Mabel Parrish.

She is survived by two sons, Ronnie Cooper of San Antonio, Texas, and Jack Cooper of South Lyon, Mich.; one daughter, Carolyn Sonney of San Antonio, Texas; two sisters, Ava Hatch of South Lyon, Mich,. and Berniece Maltbie of Marmaduke; eight grandchildren, Susan Ramirez, Michael Sonney, Angie Dorais, Marty Cooper, Brad Cooper, Karen Kossing, Shawn Cooper and Brian Cooper; 11 great-grandchildren, Jake Ramirez, Taylor Sonney, Wesley Sonney, Heather Dorais, Sierra Dorais, Elisa Cooper, Lyndsey Cooper, Hagan Kossing, Laren Kossing, Mitchell Cooper, and Harleigh Cooper.

Visitation will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, June 20, at Irby Funeral Home Chapel in Marmaduke.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 21, at Marmaduke First Baptist Church with Bro. Kim Bridges officiating.

Burial will be in Harvey's Chapel Cemetery near Marmaduke with Irby Funeral in charge of arrangements