Esther Arlene Elliott, 90, of West Union (Darwin), Ill. passed away December 2, 2016.

Esther was born June 17, 1926 in rural Clark County, IL, the daughter of Clyde and R uth Shade Rollings.

She spent a lifetime of raising kids, wiping noses, kissing boo-boos and sometimes spanking bottoms. Some people knew her as Maude, Maudie or Momma Maynard. Others called her —Granny, Old Woman or Old Lady just to see if it would get a reaction out of her. No matter what she was called, she loved all her “children” and always had an open door to those who needed somewhere to go or a shoulder to lean on.

Esther is survived by her children — David Elliott AKA Big Maynard (Nancy Roberts); Ella (Lynn) Woolever; Carol “Annie” (Jeff) Reeves; Ruth (Steve) Hallam; Emory J. “E.J.” Elliott; Susan (Jerry) Sanders; Grace Hain. Grandchildren — Yvonne (Rick) Farris; Amy Sweitzer; Bill (Stephanie) Turner; Wendy (Dustin) Misner; Ryan (Barbara) Reeves; Holly Wright (John Hamburg); Benjamin Elliott; Andrea (Ryan) Hetzler, Crystal Niles, Katie Elliott, April Sanders, and Chyenne Elliott; 15 great grandchildren and 4 great great grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Emory Elliott, and her son, Robert “Bob” Elliott, AKA Little Maynard.

Esther was a member of the Brick United Methodist Church in West Union and a die-hard resident of Darwin. She was known by many and loved by all.

Her family would like to give a special thank you to the staff, nurses, CNA and residents of Twin Lakes Rehab for the kindness and care they gave to her during her short stay. Everyone there knew her name, even though she may not have known theirs.

Public graveside services will be 10:00 AM Saturday in the Darwin Cemetery, rural West Union. All are welcome to join the family in paying their last respects to Esther. The more the merrier. Online condolences are being accepted at pearcefuneralservices.com.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Esther’s memory to Rescue Me Clifford, 108 Circle Dr., Marshall, IL 62441 or the Brick United Methodist Church, E. 550th Road, West Union, IL 62477.