Esther Marie Ralston, 90, Tucson, Ariz., died quietly the evening of Tuesday, February 27, 2024. at her home. Born March 13,1933, in Charleston, Ark., Esther was the daughter of John R. Ralston Sr. and Eva Buckner Ralston. She attended schools in Columbus, graduating from Cherokee County Community High School in 1951.
Esther was an athlete and was a member of the girls’ softball team in high school and went on to play girls’ softball at Pittsburg State College, Pittsburg, until she broke her back. She continued her studies in physical education at Pittsburg where she graduated from college. From there Esther took a teaching position in Mission, for three years.
After meeting other counselors at Girl Scout camps during summer vacations from school duties, she and three friends moved to Mount Clemens, Michigan, where she was a high school physical education teacher. She continued in that position at Mount Clemens High School for several years until her back problem caused her to move to another field in education.
Esther went back to college to obtain a Master’s Degree in Counseling at Michigan University, Ann Arbor, Mich., and then moved into her new job as a middle school guidance counselor until she retired from the teaching profession at age 55.
Esther became a life-long friend with Edith “Andy” Addis, an elementary school teacher in school districts neighboring Mount Clemens. Through the years, the two of them traveled extensively throughout the United States and the world.
When they retired from teaching in Michigan, Esther and Andy moved together to Port Richey, Fla., where the climate is much warmer than in Michigan, especially during the winter months. They remained in Florida for 10 years before moving on to live together in Tucson, Ariz.
Esther was reared as a Southern Baptist but later attended United Methodist churches and she and Andy became avid members of the Desert Skies United Methodist Church in Tucson. In 2020, Esther and Andy were recognized by United Methodist Women for their mission service to women, children and youth.
Esther was the youngest of three children born to her parents. She was preceded in death by her older sister, Evelyn Mae (Ralston) Evans, and brother-in-law, Allan D. Evans of Russell and great-great-nephew, Cale Evans.
Survivors include her older brother, John R. Ralston Jr., 93, his wife, Pat, and their daughter, Barbara; Their son Bruce Ralston, and his wife, Eileen Frering, all of Poughkeepsie, N.Y.; their children Kelly, and husband, Brian, John and Alex, all of New York state; nephew David A. Evans and girlfriend, Franc E. Wagner; greatnephew Shawn D. Evans and wife, Sara all of Russell and their children; Alyssa Evans-Stump and husband, Dylan Stump, of Tonganoxie; Cade Evans and wife, Justine, with son, Bowen of Russell; Bailey Evans of Lawrence and Caleigh Evans, Salina; Scott A. Evans, a twin greatnephew, and son, Max, of Russell, and Scott’s oldest son, Wyatt Evans, Nashville, Tenn.; Ariane M. Vegan, greatniece, husband, Richard, and daughter, Hadley, along with great-nephew Brandon Evans, all of South St. Louis, Mo.; Diana L. Maier, niece, and her husband, Richard, of Kechi; Danni Eldred, great-niece, and husband, Jon, Colorado Springs, Colo.; their son, Chad Eldred and his daughters, Cecilia, Sophia, and Noelle, of Kechi; Ruby and husband, Robert Ward, of Olathe and Katy and husband, Jaron Clark, currently residing in Guam; Christi Tenholder, great-niece, and her husband, Tim Tenholder, and their son, Ryan Tenholder, and girlfriend, Deysi Aguilera, all of Topeka; their oldest son, Jon Tenholder, and wife, Paige, of New Orleans, La. and youngest son, Andrew Tenholder, of Glenwood Springs, Colo.
TMC Hospice was assisting Esther at her residence after hospitalization in the Tucson Medical Center. Esther arranged for cremation, and she had directed that no funeral or memorial services would be held. Esther’s ashes will be handled by her family as she has requested.