W. Esther Bryant was born in Graham, Alabama on August 15, 1940, to the late Jethro and Minnie Pittman.  A 1959 graduate of Washington High School, she attended Kent State University. Having had more than one career she ultimately decided to pursue her love of beauty and fashion. She graduated from Washington Beauty Academy in Akron, Ohio where she later served as an instructor. She also taught classes at the Jane Skinner Modeling School. Having worked for Christina M. Jenkins (the inventor of the hair weave technique) as the general manager at Christina's Hair Weev, she was inspired to open her own salon and boutique, Juanee's Total Image. Esther, known for her love of fashion, hosted first class hat shows, fashion shows, and tea parties.

A foster parent for 20 years for Stark County Human Services, Esther welcomed over 65 foster youth in her home ranging from 5-17 years old.  Her involvement with foster children inspired her to create a non-profit organization, Lighthouse Visions, that would teach children basic life skills and introduce them to cultural experiences. Lighthouse Visions was started at Friendship Baptist Church with Pastor Reginald Hye and Esther's dear friend, Ben Bradley who served as the first chairman of the board of directors. Esther served as Lighthouse Visions CEO and Executive Director until she suffered a stroke on March 4, 2016.

A recipient of numerous community awards, Esther served on several boards including the Massillon Woman's Club, Westark Family Services, Downtown Massillon Association, Massillon Area Chamber of Commerce, Fair Housing Board, Canton NAACP, Massillon Museum, Stark County Community Action Agency, Massillon Tax Committee, and Massillon Parks & Recreation.

Esther's most important service was the service she provided to God and her church.  Having accepted Christ at an early age, she was a proud member of Friendship Baptist Church. Esther made sure her children were involved in the church and that they too knew God. She served the church for more than 60 years as a pianist until her health prevented her from playing. She loved attending worship service and was an active member of the mission and choir. She also found friends and gained family by attending Massillon Connections Seventh-day Adventist Church where they welcomed her with open arms.  For 20 years, Esther hosted a two day workshop entitled Pause, Pray, Praise. She hosted this workshop to give thanks and praise for all the blessings in her life and to share it with others. She loved gospel music, a good male chorus/men's choir, flowers, planning events, and traveling. If you attended one of her events, you often saw her love of these things intertwined with her love of the Lord. She worked tirelessly to serve HIM even as her body failed her.  Esther's favorite saying was "To God be the glory" and her favorite song was My Tribute by Andrae Crouch.

Esther, 82, departed this life on Saturday, July 22, 2023.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers Jessie Pittman and Corinthian Pittman, sister Bernadine Pittman Carruth, maternal grandparents Courtney and Mattie Stephens, step grandmother Arsula Stephens, paternal grandparents Bunk and Parrie Lee Pittman, and grand pups, Ivy Hill and Ava Hill.

She will always lovingly be honored and cherished by her two children, Judge Valarie A. Hill of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Bridget L. Hill of Las Vegas, Nevada; brother, Ezra Pittman (Shelia) of Indianapolis, Indiana; three grandchildren, Darron Lawrence, Courtne Hill, and Jeiohn Bell; seven great grandchildren, Delano and Dereon Williams, Jaron, Jerne, and Jaiah Hill, Christian Bell, and D'Asia Lawrence; sister-in-law, Estel C. Pittman of Canton, Ohio; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Expressions of sympathy can be mailed to the family at 8805 W. Dogwood Street, Milwaukee, WI 53224

Memorial gifts can be made to the following: Foster Care to Success, 23811 Chagrin Boulevard, Suite 210. Cleveland, OH 44122; Aultman Women's Board Compassionate Care Center, 2821 Woodlawn Ave. NW, Canton 44708; Friendship Baptist Church, 920 3rd ST SE, Massillon, OH 44646; or Massillon Connections SDA, PO Box 1145, Massillon, OH 44648.