Esther Knight Harcum

Esther Daisy Knight Harcum was born in Greenbay, Virginia on January 25, 1921 to Norris Norwood Knight and Violet Crafton Knight. She was one of eleven siblings. She passed from this life on April 12, 2004 after a brief illness.She moved to Baltimore with her family when she was a youngster and attended Baltimore City Public Schools graduating from Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in 1940. She briefly attended what was then Morgan state College.Esther loved the Lord and received Him as her personal Savior at an early age. Her Christian life began at Grace Memorial Baptist Church where Rev. Albert Green baptized her as a teenager. At Grace, she was a member of both the Youth and Senior Choirs; she taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School and used her gifts and talents in a variety of ways.On January 3, 1946, Esther married Sgt. Chester Julius Cole of Springfield, Ohio. From that union was born Cheryl and Chesteena. As a military wife, Esther traveled to Germany and lived for two years in Manheim with her husband and daughter, Cheryl. Esther returned to Baltimore in 1948 and soon after, Chesteena was born. This marriage ended in divorce.On December 18, 1955, Ester married Raymond T. Harcum, a widower with six children. The new Mrs. Harcum wanted to become an educator and decided to return to college to earn her degree. Esther enrolled in Copping State College in 1956. She graduated in 1960 earning a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. Esther began her teaching career at Charles Carroll of Carrollton Elementary School #139. She taught second and third grades and spent several years as a Reading teacher. Esther loved the teaching profession and was so dedicated to her students that she remained at #139 until her retirement in 1980.After Raymond passed away in 1964, Esther joined Heritage United Church of Christ in 1965. The late Reverend Wendell H. Phillips was the pastor and Esther became a devoted and active member of the church and participated in a number of activities and organizations. In 1987 Esther was ordained, becoming a member of the Heritage Board of Deacons, serving as Flock Leader until her untimely death. As a Flock Leader at Heritage, she was a caring and considerate shepherd. She never forgot a birthday, and encouraging phone call, a get well card, or just a hug and a smile. Esther served as the President of the Altar Guild for many years dutifully going about the business of beautifying the church Altar on Sundays and special religious celebrations. Esther was also a member of the choir, worked with both the Sunday School and Vacation Bible School from time to time. She loved Heritage and its members. There was no job too small or too large when it came to “ her” church. Esther was a generous, independent, and loyal lady who loved her daughters, adored her grandsons and doted on her great-grandchildren. She had a large circle of friends, with whom she loved to bowl, play cards, knit and crochet. She loved to travel and ventured throughout the United States, Canada and Caribbean. Her most memorable and poignant trip was to the Holy Land with Reverend Phillips and other members of the Heritage congregation.She leaves to carry on her legacy; daughters, Cheryl Weems and Chesteena Greene; stepchildren, Patricia, Constance, Carolyn and Max Sidney; grandsons, John and Anthony Weems; great-grandchildren, Jullanna, Charnetta, Keonna, Chelbi, Anthony, Jr., and Brei; great-great-granddaughter, Janiyah; sisters, Cora Thomas of Baltimore, Reverend Odessa Hymes of Pembroke, NJ, Etta Turney of Detroit, Mich.; ten nieces and seven nephews, three step-daughters, one stepson, one step-daughter-in-law, her life-long friends, Eldora Hill, Elaine Jackson and Ruth Crawford devoted friends Peggy and Maurice Gray and a host of other relatives and friends.

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Esther Knight Harcum

January 25, 1921 - April 12, 2004