Esther Marie Humphreys Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Esther took the Lord’s hand home on October 30, 2016. Esther was the only daughter of John and Ethel McCorkle. Esther was born in Los Angeles, CA, being born into a Railroad family they followed the Santa Fe tracks moving often. Esther’s parents divorced when she was only three, separating her and her brother John. Esther spent her early childhood years in Needles, CA where her mother could find work, and keep young Esther near her Father’s family. At age 13 Esther would meet a young man by the name of George (who would eventually become her husband). Esther’s mother re-married moving the family to Oregon, then Virginia. Esther’s life took her down many interesting paths. In 1943 after graduating High School Esther moved back to California taking a job at the Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, as a bookkeeper. As this time Esther and George’s path would cross again. George now a United States Marine, having just returned from the South Pacific. In 1945 Esther moved to Illinois to be near her ageing Grandmother. Esther took a job in a factory assembling machine guns for the war effort. Esther returned to California in 1946. She found work as a “Harvey Girl” at the Barstow, CA Harvey House. George and Esther’s path would cross once more. George decided the only way he could keep track of this girl was to marry her. He proposed to Esther on top of the Barstow Station water tower. On June 11, 1947 they were married. George and Esther moved to Bakersfield, CA in 1951. After spending only one night in their first home, George received a letter to report to Camp Pendleton he had been drafted to the Korean War. George was a weapons specialist. We will never know if the weapons he was firing were same one’s mom assembled years earlier, but it always made one of our favorite family stories. Esther was extremely talented, and enjoyed many hobbies during her long life. In the early 1960’s through 1970’s Esther trained and showed dogs, even becoming a licensed judge. Our home was always adorned with quilts, crochet work, afghan’s, and stone carvings. Which in 2016 as part of a “Bucket wish list” were entered into the Kern County fair, earning Esther a 1st, 2nd, 3rd place win and best senior. Esther is preceded in death by her loving husband George, her brother’s John, Robert and Glen. Esther is survived by her beloved daughter Marie Ann and husband Blake Lemmons. In lieu of flowers family requests donations in Esther’s name to Optimal Hospice or your favorite charity. Esther’s family wants to extend their heartfelt thanks to all the staff at the Bakersfield Golden living center for their loving care Mom received in the last four years. Thank you Optimal Hospice for your love, support and prayers during Mom’s last five days on this Earth.

Esther Marie Humphreys

January 3, 1925 - October 30, 2016

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