Mary "Esther" Salter's Obituary
Mary Esther Salter entered peacefully into rest on Saturday, March 5, 2022, at the age of 75 years, 0 months and 16 days, at Westwood Manor Nursing Home in DeRidder. Esther was born on Monday, February 17, 1947 in DeRidder, LA to Bert A. Orton, Jr. and Mary Agnes Williamson Orton.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, March 9, 2022, from 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM, at Labby Memorial Funeral Home located at 2110 HWY 171 S, DeRidder, LA. Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 10, 2022, with a visitation starting at 9:00 AM until the time of the service which will begin at 10:00 AM, in the chapel with Rev. Charlie Williams and Rev. Frank Ott officiating. Interment will follow at Lewis Cemetery in DeRidder. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Labby Memorial Funeral Home of DeRidder.
Mary Esther Salter was the first born of a large hardworking family. She continued that hard work throughout her life. She married young and had her first son, Delwin, at the age of nineteen. Her husband joined the military and she enjoyed traveling all over the world and meeting new people. During this time, she had her second son, Jon Jeremy (Jamie) and only daughter, Brande. Around the time she gave birth to her daughter she made the hard decision to start a new chapter in her life. Not long after, she met Roger, and it wasn’t long before they joined their lives together. They worked hard to remodel an old house and turned it into a comfortable home for their family. As they journeyed through life together, their love carried them through life’s ups and downs. She enjoyed sharing her life with Roger whether away on vacation or just enjoying time sitting on the porch together. She cared for her family, by always lending a good ear for listening, keeping a clean home for them and making sure her family was fed. She was delighted at every new grandchild and she often found herself in trouble by breaking the rules with those delightful grand babies! She was a natural born rule breaker and helped her grandchildren in breaking rules all for the fun of playing. She enjoyed spending time with her children, family, and friends. She loved music and dancing. She loved to laugh and to make any time a good time. More than anything, she loved to talk with anyone and everyone about the Lord. Towards the end of her life, when her body began to fail her, her husband, daughter, sons, and siblings took care of her. She spent her last days in the care of Westwood Manor with her faithful husband coming to see her daily.
Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Roger Salter of DeRidder; son, Jon Moak of DeRidder; daughter, Brande Moak Williams and husband Charlie of Rosepine; two brothers, George Orton of DeRidder, and Bert A. Orton, III of DeRidder; four sisters, Judy Brewer and husband Andy of Claremore, OK, Grace Vitella and husband Sam, Naomi Lester and husband Jackie, and Wanda DeLeon all of DeRidder; eleven grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and a host of nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by her parents, Bert and Mary Orton; son, Delwin Wade Moak; granddaughter, Darby Moak; three sisters, Brenda Joyce Orton, Alice Orton, and Ilene Orton.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Steve Puckett, Robert Salter, Donny Rumby, James Orton, Eric Williams, and Chance Green.
Those honored to serve as honorary pallbearers are Hunter Williams and Kirk Moore.
Words of comfort to the family may be shared at www.labbymemorial.com.
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