Funeral service for Esther Mae McClanahan Fondel, 78, will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015, at Mt. Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church. A wake service will be held from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 13, 2015, in the Fondel Memorial Church Chapel. Visitation will be at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015, at Mt. Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church.

Esther Mae McClanahan Fondel was born in Rayville, La., April 22, 1937, to the parentage of Stewart and Martha Armstrong McClanahan. She was baptized at an early age at Adile Baptist Church in Rayville, La.

On Sunday, Nov. 8, 2015, the sweet spirit of our dear sister, Esther Mae McClanahan Fondel, went to join our Savior in a precious home not built with hands, but whose maker and builder is God. She was a dedicated and devoted member of Mt. Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church where she formerly served on the Usher Board, work diligently in the Children's Ministry and was the Announcing Secretary for several years.

Understanding that a mind is a terrible thing to waste, Esther was a graduate of Alto High School in 1955, Grambling State University Class of 1959 and McNeese State University (Masters +30 in Elementary Education). She was united in Holy Matrimony to Raymond M. Fondel Sr. on Jan. 20, 1965.

Esther was employed as a teacher at Cherry Street Elementary School, she was a part of the Desegregation Program, and went to Frash Elementary School as a teacher and then later returned to Cherry Street Elementary. She retired after 31 years as an educator in the school system. She then opened her own handkerchief business (Esther's Craft Design) and worked and provided service to Southwest Louisiana as an Agent for Security Insurance where she was also able to retire.

Esther always actively supported Fondel Memorial Chapel with her husband for over 40 years. In spite of her own battles for over four decades, she dedicated herself to caring for her son, parents, aunt, uncle and husband throughout their illnesses and until their death. While dealing with her own sickness and having been diagnosed with cancer, Esther still maintained a giving, loving, kind, positive spirit and a beautiful smile on her face.

Esther was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Raymond M. Fondel Sr.; parents, Steward and Martha A. McClanahan Sr.; mother and father-in-law, David and Rosa W. Fondel Sr.; son, Roy C. McClanahan; daughter, Martha Rosa Fondel Smith; and a great grandson, Myron Lastrapes.

She leaves to cherish her love and memories two sons, Raymond M. (Juanita) Fondel Jr. and Paul L. Fondel, both of Lake Charles, La.; two brothers, Steward McClanahan Jr. of New York City, and Joe Acy McClanahan of Stoughton. Mass.; son-in-law, Antonio Smith of Monroe, La.; seven grandchildren, Marla Lastrapes, Matthew Fondel, Amariah Rose Love, Aiden and Austin Smith, Jaquana and Brian Smith; and nine great-grandchildren; caregiver, Shirley White and a host of other relatives and friends.