Esther Durant Briggs, 77, widow of James Earl Briggs, died Thursday morning, Sept. 25, 2014, at Clarendon Memorial Hospital in Manning.
Born June 22, 1937 in the Pinewood section of Sumter County, Opie was a daughter of the late Henry Durant and Vermell Taylor Durant. She attended Clarendon County public schools. In her youth she accepted Christ and was a member of Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Pinewood, where she was a lifelong member. She served in many capacities such as usher, mass choir, gospel choir serving as president for both and as a missionary. She retired from Hopewell Nursing Home in Sumter.
Survivors include five daughters, Peggy Knox and Tabatha Briggs, both of Manning, Leila (Adam) Williams of Sumter, Betty (Eric) Roberts of Greenville and Brenda (Retired Sgt. 1st Class David) Dupree of Helendale, Calif.; six sons, James (Capt. Bernita) Briggs of New Market, Ala., Wilbert Briggs of Manning, Ret. Specialist Willie Briggs and Lee E. Briggs, both of Sumter, Joe A. (Kim) Briggs of Blythewood and Timmy (Mamie) Briggs of Woodbridge, Va.; 35 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; several sisters and brothers-in-law; and a number of nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends.
Funeral services for Esther Durant Briggs will be held 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2014, at Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Pinewood, with the Rev. E.L. Sanders, pastor, officiating, assisted by the Rev. John Johnson. Burial will follow in the churchyard cemetery.
A public viewing will be held noon to 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 29, 2014, at the funeral home.
The family will receive friends at the home, 722 Branchview Drive in Manning.
These services were entrusted to Samuels Funeral Home LLC of Manning.
