Ester Lee (Taylor) Stevens, age 86, went home to be with the Lord on July 31, 2026. She was born on November 12, 1939, in Yazoo City, Mississippi, to Tillmon Taylor and Elsie (Hammond-Moore) Taylor.

Ester dedicated 30 years of her career to Ford Motor Company, where she worked in Quality Control before retiring.

On December 10, 1966, Ester married the love of her life, Charles Stevens, in Ypsilanti. Together they built a family rooted in faith, love, and devotion.

A faithful member of St. John's Missionary Baptist Church in Ypsilanti for 69 years, Ester's relationship with the Lord was the foundation of her life. She cherished her church family and found great joy in worship, fellowship, and service.

Ester's greatest happiness came from spending time with her family. She especially loved gathering with her children, grandchildren, and extended family, and she also enjoyed traveling and making lasting memories with those she loved.

She leaves to cherish her memory her children, Van Stevens, Sheila Ellis, and Dorian (Claresta) Davis; siblings, Willie Mae Matthews, William (Dr. Martha) Taylor, Dr. Rosiannah Taylor, Fred (Tammi) Taylor, and Edward (Karen) Taylor; 12 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; stepson, Thomas (Shirley) Williams and their children Brian (Shawntel) and Caleb (Se' Mone) Williams, and Akilah (Jenn) Williams-Valdez;  along with many other loving relatives, dear friends, and members of her church family.

She was preceded in death by her husband Charles Stevens; parents, Tillmon and Elsie Taylor; two siblings, Mary Kearney and Martha Helon Taylor; five nephews, Howard Kearney, James and Darryl Cameron, Ryan Taylor, Fred Douglas Taylor Jr., and Michael Taylor.

Ester will be remembered for her unwavering faith, her love for her family, and the kindness and grace she shared with everyone whose lives she touched. Her legacy of faith and love will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

A viewing will be held 3-7 pm Friday, August 7, 2026 at St. John Missionary Baptist Church. A funeral service will be held at the church 11 am Saturday, August 8, 2026 with family hour beginning at 10 am. Pastor James Hendricks will officiate. Ester will be laid to rest in Arborcrest Cemetery.