Esther Pearl Bynum's Obituary
Thursday morning, Esther Pearl Anderson Bynum, at the age of 92 passed away peacefully with family and friends at her bedside. She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years James L Bynum. She was the doting mother of 5 children, 5 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren.
Esther was so passionate about life and wore many hats in her lifetime. She was daughter, sister, wife and mother and as a professional she was a teacher, administrator, mentor, and artist. Her greatest loves were her family, church and art.
Art was her passion. Esther was a student at several universities focusing on art beginning at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. She received her B.A. from North Texas State University in 1965 and earned her M.A. from the University of Maryland in 1972. She earned the advanced graduate specialist designation in art education and secondary education in 1973 and was engaged in post grad studies at Western Maryland University from 1973 to 1975. She started teaching as a traveling art instructor at the secondary level and so impressed administrators that she was eventually promoted to the Montgomery County (MD) Art Superintendent. She was in her element; teaching, creating, and raising her family a 5 mile drive from Washington DC. As an artist she was ahead of her time experimenting in numerous media from clay and acrylic sculptures to traditional canvas. She was well-recognized in the art community culminating in her creations being exhibited at the prestigious Cochran Art Gallery in Washington DC and the Baltimore Museum of Art. Her works were exhibited in shows across the country. It is hard to describe the beauty, balance and creativity of her work without seeing it. Her passion and art talent shines brightly in every medium she attempted.
Esther and James entered retirement and began their dream of opening an art gallery in their hometown of Henderson. Four Oaks Art Gallery was opened and that dream was realized. Esther was the art curator, director and owner. She and James would travel across the country searching for art to bring back to Henderson creating an eclectic collection unique in East Texas. Esther was very involved with the art community in Henderson including the Texas Water Color Society and Henderson Art League. One of Esther’s greatest joys was her association and companionship she experienced with her sisters of the Beta Sigma Phi sorority. They have a special place in our family’s heart for the support they have provided to Mom through the progression of her Alzheimer’s.
A sincere thank you is extended to Jan Edwards and the entire memory care staff at Arabella of Kilgore as well as Hospice of East Texas for the kindness and care they provided to Esther. A special thanks to Lori Russell and Viana Scoggins for being so giving and caring and making Esther’s last days filled with love and comfort. Esther will be missed and forever in our hearts.
A celebration of her life will be held 10:00am Monday July 20, 2015 in the Chapel of Rader Funeral Home. Visitation will be Sunday from 5-7pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the LNB Alzheimer’s Association at 911 W Loop 281 Longview, TX 75604
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