Esther L. Kaufman

Esther Louise Hartronft Kaufman,89, passed from this life to be with her Lord and Savior on April 8, 2021, in Shreveport, LA, after a year of steadily declining health. Visitation will be Friday, April 16, from 5:00pm-7:00pm at Wasson Funeral Home in Siloam Springs, AR. Graveside services will be held at Gentry Cemetery on Saturday, April 17, at 2:00pm, with Jerad Sears officiating. Esther was born on July 17, 1931, in Foss, OK, the first of three children born to Raymond and Thelma Hartronft. On April 24, 1949, she married Leo Kaufman in Gentry, AR, where they spent most of their married life until they moved to Shreveport in 2009 to be near family. After their two daughters were in school, Esther worked in Gentry, then took a job working for Cobb industries in Siloam Springs, where she retired after 20 years as an executive secretary. A faithful member of First Baptist Church in Gentry for 60 years, Esther served in many areas of ministry within the church. She is perhaps most remembered for her many years as church organist, a ministry she dearly loved. After the move to Shreveport, Louisiana. Esther found a new and much-loved church home at Woodridge Baptist Church in Shreveport. An excellent seamstress, Esther loved making clothes for herself and her daughters, and later became quite well-known as the maker of many beautiful dresses for her granddaughters. She also made some lovely quilts for various family members. Esther was preceded in death by Leo, her beloved husband of 65 years, her brother CL Hartronft, and sister Marcine Gilliland. Esther is survived by her daughters and their families: Brenda Pennywell (Mike) of Shreveport, and Rhonda Gill (Ken) of Plano, TX. Grandchildren: Robinson--Emmy (Lonnie); Sears—Katy (Jerad); Coffee—Amy (Blaine); Pennywell—Michael, Matthew (Sandi), Jay Great grandchildren: Robinson—Gillian; Sears—Albany, Boston, Deacon, Kingston; Coffee—Lily, Teigue, Kinslee; Gibson—Kasey (Damien); Pennywell—Brooke, Bailey, Kaden Great-great grandchildren; Gibson—Mason, Molly, Mabree; Pennywell—Laykin, Montana; Barnes—Bella Other surviving relatives include a niece, Sherri Graves, and three sisters-in-law: Faye Kaufman, Jane Kaufman, and Ellen Garvin. To sign the online guestbook, please visit www.wassonfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a charity of your choice.

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Esther L. Kaufman

July 17, 1931 - April 8, 2021