12/26/06 — ESTHER P. BEST

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ESTHER P. BEST

ESTHER P. BEST

Aug. 30, 1929 - Dec. 23, 2006

Esther Christine Holland Pollock Best, 77, passed away at her home on Saturday, December 23, 2006, after many years of failing health.

"Chris," as she was known to most, was preceded in death by her beloved and devoted first husband of 35 years, Roland C. Pollock. The most important thing a father can show his children is that he loves and respects their mother and he truly did. She nursed him through many years of poor health and never faltered or complained proving her undying devotion and love to him. These are only some of the precious memories that will remain with her 6 children forever. She is a retired State employee with her service to the public being served at O'Berry Center.

A graveside service will be held at Pikeville Cemetery on Tuesday, December 26, 2006 at 11 a.m. with burial next to her first husband. Rev. Dennis Pollock will officiate. The family will receive friends at the cemetery following the service.

She was born in Wayne County on August 30, 1929 to Mary Emily (Mamie) Davis Holland and Rondal Holland. She was preceded in death, in addition to her first husband and parents, by two sisters, Gladys Rose Watson, Emma Frances Cummings, two brothers, Bobby Holland and Willard Holland, a son-in-law, Donald Huggins and a beloved granddaughter, Donna Kaye McIntosh.

She is survived by her husband of 11 years, Dennis Ray Best of Pikeville, who tirelessly nursed her during her illness; two sons and four daughters and their families, survives her: Roland Morris Pollock, her oldest son, and his wife, Beverly Kornegay Pollock, of Pikeville; Carolyn P. Huggins of Pikeville and her children, Kenneth McIntosh Jr., Angela M. Radford and Jonathan Huggins; Brenda P. Licea of Kenly and her husband, Tobias, and her children, Christine "Chrissy" Collins, Jessica Licea, and Katrina Licea; Emily P. Langston of Pikeville, and her children, Raymond Langston Jr., Cynthia L. Outlaw, and Jeffrey Scott Langston; Wanda P. Hill of Pikeville and her children, Kimberly Hill Gramlisch and Brandon Lee Hill; and her youngest son, Ronnie Leroy Pollock and his wife, Carol Narron Pollock, of Selma; two brothers, R. J. Holland and Bill Holland, both of Pikeville; and a sister, Evelyn H. Minshew of Kernersville, also survive Mrs. Best. She leaves behind 14 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. She leaves behind many brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, but was faithfully remembered and visited often by Evelyn and Joe Robinson and Alene Johnson and her devoted brother, R.J.

Mavis Pollock Suggs was her sister-in-law but was loved as a sister and they always remained close.

When her children were young, she was known as "Ma Pollock" to the neighborhood children who came often because they knew they were always welcome and hopefully to sample some of her great home cooking for which she was well known and constantly praised about. She also was an avid reader and loved to tend her flowers, a trait inherited from her own mother, and passed on to all 6 of her children.

A mom is someone who helps without being asked, gives without expecting anything in return, and loves unconditionally. That phrase truly describes our mom. She did without many times to help all of her children and other family members in their times of need. When asked if she was afraid of dying she said only because she was not ready to leave her children. She loved and will truly be missed.

Arrangements are with Seymour Funeral Home and Cremation Service.

(Written & Paid by the Family)

Published in Obituaries on December 26, 2006 2:21 PM